Falcons Remain Committed to Taylor Heinicke as Starting Quarterback
By Michael Rothstein | Nov 8, 2023, 01:10 PM ET
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons have made it clear that Taylor Heinicke will be their starting quarterback against the Arizona Cardinals this week. However, head coach Arthur Smith emphasized that he does not want the quarterback decision to be a weekly topic of conversation.
Avoiding “Musical Chairs”
“We’re not going to play musical chairs,” Smith stated during a press conference on Wednesday. “Hopefully we can go get this win and take a second to evaluate as we make that sprint towards the end of the season. That’s the best I can give you right now.”
Smith explained that the coaching staff will assess Heinicke’s performance compared to Desmond Ridder’s over the first eight weeks of the season before making a final decision. The Falcons have a bye in Week 11, providing an opportunity for further evaluation.
Ridder’s Performance and Heinicke’s Success
Ridder completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,701 yards, 6 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and 6 fumbles lost. Heinicke, on the other hand, has completed 55.9% of his passes for 443 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception over the past six quarters. The Falcons have scored 48 points in the six quarters Heinicke has played, including a season-high 28 points against the Vikings last Sunday.
Smith acknowledged that this year’s quarterback situation is different from last year when the team transitioned from Marcus Mariota to Ridder during the bye week in December. However, he remains confident that the decision will ultimately work itself out.
“There are many factors to consider,” Smith explained. “It’s not solely on the quarterback, and sometimes it’s about matchups and trends. But in the end, it will all fall into place as it should.”
As the Falcons prepare to face the Cardinals, they are committed to Heinicke as their starting quarterback. The team hopes that this decision will lead them to victory and provide valuable insights for the remainder of the season.