Falcons Non-Committal on Desmond Ridder at QB Entering NFL Draft

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith said he thinks Desmond Ridder's "future is bright" after his four starts as a rookie, but the team will not make any decisions regarding Ridder - or anyone else - as the starter this early in the process.

The Atlanta Falcons' 2022 season ended with several questions for the team to address in the offseason.

One of those questions is at quarterback. Then-rookie Desmond Ridder ended the season as the starter, but who begins 2023 as the Falcons' signal-caller remains in question.

At least that's the indication head coach Arthur Smith is giving early this offseason.

Smith said he thinks Ridder's "future is bright" after his four starts as a rookie. Smith also said the team will not make any decisions regarding Ridder - or anyone else - as the starter this early in the process.

“We’re not naming any starters right now,” Smith said, via the team’s website. “There are a lot of things that can happen. We’re very excited about Des, no different than we are about Tyler Allgeier and Drake London and the improvements they’ve made, and guys who are currently on our roster. 

"As always, all options are on the table. Anything that we can do to improve this team and help us win — and to ultimately win championships — that’s what we’re looking for.”

Atlanta has nine draft picks in April's NFL Draft. Its first pick comes at No. 8 overall, giving the team plenty of options for a quarterback there.

The Falcons have lots of questions entering the draft, and the quarterback position should be priority No. 1. If they think they have their guy in Ridder, then there will be several options to improve the roster in April. … And of course the Lamar Jackson trade rumors aren’t going away quite yet, either - another reason for Atlanta to remain open-minded.

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