Falcons HC Arthur Smith On Desmond Ridder: ‘Our Starter’

The UC great can do something no Cincinnati passing product ever has.

CINCINNATI — Desmond Ridder is officially the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback heading into the team's offseason program. 

Head coach Arthur Smith confirmed the news with Steve Wyche this week.

"You saw those last two weeks (of the 2022 season) the growth he made from this first start to really his third and fourth," Smith said. "We're excited about it, and we know Taylor (Heinicke) is coming in as a guy that gives you a chance to win. He understands his role and with a plan to go into the season with Desmond as our starter. So we're very excited."

Ridder posted a 2-2 record last season while passing for 708 yards on 63.5% completion, with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Cincinnati legend set the school's passing touchdown and total yards record over his dynamic career.

Now he's building toward a strong sophomore season in an intriguing spot. The Falcons can cash in on Ridder's third-round salary around the roster next offseason if he continues to show starting-level play.

Smith and the coaching staff are bought into his development as the Bearcat tries to become the first longtime starting quarterback to ever come out of Cincinnati.

Here is @AtlantaFalcons Coach Arthur Smith on QB Desmond Ridder from our Sunday sit down. Not only did he say Ridder was the starter for 2023 but said if Ridder was ready early as a rookie, he would have been The Guy. pic.twitter.com/7j5jXwmnM0

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 28, 2023

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You May Also Like the following:

Pinging The Portal: Big Men, Sharpshooter Headline Latest Round Of Contact

UC Among Four-Star Linebacker Qua Birdsong's Top-Five Schools

Report: NFL Teams Targeting Tre Tucker As 'Mid-Rounder They Can Hit On'

Look: Athletic Testing Figures For UC's Top 2023 NFL Draft Prospects

UC Guard Landers Nolley II Declares For 2023 NBA Draft

Ivan Pace Jr. Ready To Realize His NFL Dreams After 2023 UC Pro Day

Josh Whyle, Tre Tucker Discuss UC Pro Day, NFL Futures With Media

Watch: UC Stars Run 40-Yard Dashes; Tre Tucker, Tyler Scott Post Scorching Times

Watch: Taj Ward Discusses Spring Football 2023, New Coaching Staff, Fishing Stories

Three Man Weave: UC Falls 74-68 To Utah Valley In NIT Quarterfinals

Jason Kelce Gives Backstory On Recruiting Joe Burrow To Play at UC

Watch: Arquon Bush Discusses Favorite UC Memories, Building His NFL Draft Profile

Three Thoughts On The Opening Week Of Cincinnati Spring Football 2023

Watch: Ja'Von Hicks Discusses NFL Draft Prep, End Of UC Career

Three Man Weave: Cincinnati Pulls Away From Virginia Tech 81-72 To Open NIT

Big 12 Announces First-Ever NFL Pro Day

Watch: UC Athletics, Cincy Reigns Announce 'Let's Reign' Campaign, Offer NIL Update

Landers Nolley II Earns Second-Team All-District Honors From NABC

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bearcats all the time!

Follow All Bearcats on Twitter: @AllBearcats

Like All Bearcats on FaceBook: All Bearcats