Can Falcons' Desmond Ridder Become Next Franchise QB?

The Atlanta Falcons have had only three starting quarterbacks since the start of the 2013 season. Can Desmond Ridder keep that number low?

The Atlanta Falcons has been a place known for stability at the quarterback position in recent years.

Matt Ryan was the team's starting quarterback for nearly every game from 2008-21, but now the franchise is in a transitional period.

The Falcons are tied as the NFL's second-best team in quarterback turnover rankings over the last decade, ranks CBS Sports. 

The Falcons have had only three starting quarterbacks since the start of the 2013 season, which was tied for the second-lowest among the NFL. To qualify for this list a quarterback had to start at least four games in a season for a team. Ryan, Desmond Ridder and Marcus Mariota are the starting three.

Second-year quarterback Ridder is poised to lead the youngest offensive lineup in the league. Full of exciting playmakers like Kyle Pitts, Drake London and Bijan Robinson, the average age of Atlanta's projected starting offense would be 24.9 years.

In Ridder's four starts at the end of last season, the former second-overall pick completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 708 yards, two scores and zero interceptions. In his first two starts, the Falcons scored just 27 points - which he nearly doubled in his last two, combining to hit 50 points.

Leading the league in quarterback stability is the Chiefs with only two starting quarterbacks in 10 seasons (Mahomes, Alex Smith.) The reigning Super Bowl Champions Chiefs are favorites to again win the Lombardi Trophy with Mahomes on a 10-year lucrative contract.

Other teams with the most stable rankings have been buoyed by longtime franchise quarterbacks, like Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Matthew Stafford (Lions), Eli Manning (Giants), Derek Carr (Raiders) and Philip Rivers (Chargers).  

All in all, Atlanta hopes to continue its security and dependability at quarterback with Ridder. 

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