Marcus Mariota Benched For Desmond Ridder
2 years agoThe Atlanta Falcons are looking to the future and making the quarterback switch from Marcus Mariota to rookie Desmond Ridder, according to sources. Ridder will make his first career NFL start in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints on the road when the team comes off their bye this week. Mariota is due $12 million next year, including a $3 million roster bonus due on the fifth day of the new league year in March. The Falcons want to get ahead of it now and get a look at Ridder, a third-rounder, to close out the year after Mariota completed just 59 percent of his passes in the last five games. Like Mariota, Ridder can be dangerous with his arm and legs, giving opponents plenty to think about. The 23-year-old looked pretty good in the preseason, but he has yet to take a regular season snap and is bound to have his struggles to close out the season.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport