Desmond Ridder Says He’s Focused on Helping Falcons Win After Losing Starting Job
By Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer
Nov 2, 2023, 07:02 PM ET
Desmond Ridder stood in front of a small group of microphones Thursday afternoon and insisted he has remained the same. Yes, he is no longer the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback — at least temporarily — but he wasn’t going to let it affect him much.
He is still going to prepare the same way. Still going to help lead separate offensive meetings he called, just like he did before Taylor Heinicke was named the Falcons’ starter Wednesday. The only difference is he’d be helping to prepare Heinicke to take snaps against the Minnesota Vikings instead of knowing he’d be doing so himself.
“Nothing’s changed. I’m still going to be the best version of myself, the best teammate I can be,” Ridder said. “Never want to be a negative person, never want to be a negative guy. So I’m going to go and do whatever it takes to help our team win.
“Just put our team in the best position to go win.”
Ridder, who started the past 12 games for the Falcons since taking over for Marcus Mariota in Week 15 last year, said he “didn’t press too hard” in terms of asking questions about why the team was going with Heinicke this week, and said he would be ready if the Falcons needed him or asked him to play.
Atlanta switched from Ridder to Heinicke at halftime of Sunday’s 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans after Ridder was tested for and cleared from having a concussion. He said he had another concussion evaluation Monday and passed that, as well.
He was listed on the injury report as full practice Wednesday with a “gameday concussion protocol evaluation” tag. By Thursday, he was off the injury report entirely.
“I feel good,” Ridder said. Asked whether he has felt good throughout, including Sunday, he reiterated, “I feel good.”
Ridder, who completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,701 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions this season, didn’t indicate whether he was told it was a one-week switch or potentially something more permanent.
Coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that the franchise was focused solely on Minnesota and that there hadn’t been any decisions made beyond this week in terms of Heinicke or Ridder. Asked why he made the decision, Smith continually said it came down to “a lot of variables.”
Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, Dave Ragone, also said it came down to multiple factors.
“A lot of variables go into it,” Ragone said. “A lot of different things that we discussed internally that are kept within the building and for this week, it’s for us, Taylor giving us, going out there on this term basis and trying to go out and win a football game.”
It reached this point, in some ways, because of turnovers. Ridder mentioned ball security multiple times during his eight minutes talking with the media; he had seven turnovers in the past three weeks, including three interceptions and four lost fumbles.
Ridder said he believes he put “a lot of good stuff on film,” but understands turnovers were a major issue. On Sunday, Smith said Ridder is “throwing the ball pretty well. Obviously we got a lot of confidence, that’s why he’s our starter.”
By Tuesday night, Ridder was not Atlanta’s starter anymore. Ridder said he did wonder when it all started to unravel but that he was trying not to focus on that.
“Yeah, I mean, you can question a lot of things,” Ridder said. “But you know, like I said, at the end of the day, you know, you can’t go back and fix anything that you’ve done in the past. I mean, all you can do is look forward to the future and how you can get better in the present every single day.”
While he’s not starting, Ridder said he’s going to focus on improving ball security, protecting the ball and continuing to improve understanding the game plans.
“Knowing them better than Coach Rags or anyone else knows them and so, those will never stop,” Ridder said. “At the end of the day, like I said, it’s just about not only myself but trying to push everyone else around me to be better.
“That’s still why we’re doing the meetings, that’s why we’re leading. That’s still why we’re being the same guy who I was, you know, seven days ago.”
In a surprising turn of events, Desmond Ridder finds himself on the sidelines as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback. However, Ridder remains focused on helping his team win despite losing his starting job. He is determined to be the best version of himself and the best teammate he can be.
Ridder has been preparing for games in the same way and continues to lead offensive meetings. The only difference is that he is now helping Taylor Heinicke prepare for the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings instead of taking snaps himself.
Although Ridder did not press too hard for answers about why Heinicke was chosen as the starter this week, he remains ready to play if needed. Ridder was replaced by Heinicke at halftime during the Falcons’ loss to the Tennessee Titans after being tested and cleared for a concussion. He underwent another evaluation on Monday and passed it as well.
Feeling good and off the injury report, Ridder did not reveal whether the switch to Heinicke was temporary or potentially permanent. Coach Arthur Smith stated that the team’s focus is solely on the upcoming game against the Vikings and that no decisions have been made beyond this week.
The decision to switch quarterbacks was influenced by multiple factors, including turnovers. Ridder acknowledged the issue of ball security, with seven turnovers in the past three weeks. Despite this, Ridder believes he has shown positive performances on film and had the confidence of the coaching staff.
Ridder admitted to wondering when things started to unravel but emphasized the importance of focusing on the future and improving every day. While he may not be starting, Ridder remains committed to improving ball security, protecting the ball, and understanding game plans better than anyone else on the team.
His dedication to pushing himself and his teammates to be better is evident in his continued involvement in meetings and leadership. Ridder aims to maintain the same level of commitment and positivity he had before losing his starting job.
In conclusion, Desmond Ridder’s focus remains on helping the Atlanta Falcons win despite losing his starting quarterback position. He is determined to be the best teammate he can be and continues to prepare for games and lead offensive meetings. While he may not be starting, Ridder remains committed to improving himself and pushing his teammates to be better. His dedication and positive attitude will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s success moving forward.