'We're Not Satisfied': Arthur Smith Explains Atlanta Falcons' QB Situation

The Atlanta Falcons' quarterback controversy seems to be back after their 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The rollercoaster this season for the Atlanta Falcons looks to be heading on another steep descent after seemingly coming off the bye week with a lot of optimism that they had turned things around. However, just as quickly as the Falcons had won two games in a row, things quickly reversed into a two-game losing streak.

The rollercoaster analogy may not be accurate anymore, coming off the Falcons 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Rather, a merry-go-round appears to be more fitting, although "merry" is the exact opposite of the Falcons' feelings right now. 

However, that feeling of just going around in a circle seems to be what is happening with the Falcons' quarterback situation after coach Arthur Smith announced the starting job is back up in the air following Sunday's loss, where another late Desmond Ridder interception proved to be the nail in the coffin.

"Obviously, we didn't end the way we wanted, we weren't as productive as we wanted. We had some good movements. But, obviously, we're not satisfied," Smith said of Desmond Ridder's development this season. "Certainly not happy with what's gone on the last two games. ... These last two do sting. We've had our opportunities, regardless of the score, we still had leads in both. Didn't get it done, though."

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke (left), Desmond Ridder (middle), and coach Arthur Smith (right) / ClutchPoints

Ridder completed 12 of his 20 passes for 152 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the loss on Sunday. It was another performance where the Falcons didn't ask much of him, mainly due to the inclement conditions, but needed him to do enough to help them win. 

Up until the fourth quarter, it felt like the second-year signal-caller out of Cincinnati was doing enough to win as he led the Falcons on the game's only touchdown drive, where he capped it off with a two-yard shovel pass to Cordarrelle Patterson. 

Falcons QB Decision 'Not Final' as Smith Weighs Ridder, Heinicke

That is where things went downhill for the Falcons; they were limited to just three possessions in the second half, where two ended in turnovers, a Bijan Robinson fumble, and a costly interception, while the other drive was a punt. 

With the Falcons now in third place for the NFC South, as the loss has dropped them out of the previous three-way tie, Atlanta not only needs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints to lose but also a spark of their own, which they hope to find at quarterback.