Atlanta Falcons' Desmond Ridder Explains Mack Hollins' 'Break of Emotion'

A blowup on the Atlanta Falcons sideline from Sunday's game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars occurred between receiver Mack Hollins and quarterback Desmond Ridder.

For the second straight week, the Atlanta Falcons offense struggled to get anything going, this time across the pond, facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in the league's first game in London, England, this season. 

The Falcons garnered just seven points in the loss to the Jaguars, which followed a loss to the Detroit Lions the week prior, where they were held to just two field goals. Obviously, nobody likes losing, especially when it happens in the fashion that the Falcons have experienced over the last two games. Which makes it inevitable that tempers would run hot. 

That is exactly what happened Sunday as a moment between quarterback Desmond Ridder and receiver Mack Hollins went viral on social media, as the latter appeared to dismiss an attempt at a high-five from the second-year signal-caller and instead vent his frustrations. 

“I was coming over saying whatever and he just had a break of emotion,” Ridder said. “We have a standard of play for this offense ... and we haven’t been playing to it. He felt it was necessary to let his emotions out. ... It was directed toward me, toward the offense, toward everyone. He obviously plays with a lot of emotion. We know we weren’t playing the way we were supposed to be playing and that makes a lot of people mad.”

Mack Hollins (18) vents his frustration with Desmond Ridder (9)

After starting the season 2-0 for the first time since 2018, the Falcons have now dropped two straight, which has led to rising scrutiny of Ridder and the team as a whole. 

Ridder's performance, where he completed 19 of his 31 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, even led many to wonder if he'd be benched in favor of experienced backup Taylor Heinicke.

However, the Falcons remain committed to Ridder as they look to find a way out of their two-game losing streak when they host the Houston Texans on Sunday. 

“We’re human. I think at times, it’s been BS on my part," coach Arthur Smith said about Hollins airing his frustrations. "That’s what we’re all working to do better, but if you don’t have that trust, and you can’t acknowledge it, then that’s not the real culture – everybody talks about culture – that’s not the real culture, and you don’t have the right guys. Mack’s the right guy."

Ridder and Hollins hope to get past the loss on Sunday when the Houston Texans come to town. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.