Will Falcons Sign Super Bowl MVP QB if Desmond Ridder Struggles?
The Atlanta Falcons are riding with Desmond Ridder at quarterback in 2023, confident the Cincinnati product can blossom into a long-term option in a floundering NFC South.
But what if it doesn't work out?
The 23-year-old signal caller threw for 708 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in his four starts last season. Those numbers don't exactly pop.
If the Ridder era of Falcons football is shortlived, Fansided has released a list of options to turn to in case of emergency. The most intriguing name listed? Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
"Nick Foles is a career backup who had one legendary run with the Eagles to take down Tom Brady and the Patriots. It is a run that will forever be remembered both due to who Foles beat and the underdog group that galvanized under the veteran quarterback," Fansided wrote.
Look, Foles is old and has started double-digit games in just two of his 11 seasons in the league. He's never thrown for 3,000 yards and his Super Bowl MVP campaign is a complete outlier. But what a journeyman for Ridder to learn from.
"Foles is clearly not a starter at this point in his career but if Ridder fails or struggles and Atlanta wants to add depth to the position Nick would make sense. Foles thrives when there are zero expectations and Atlanta would have just that if they are forced into a situation where they have to add to the position," Fansided said.
If all falls apart, Foles would be a cheap option to get Atlanta through 2023. And if this season goes that south, the Falcons would be in line to draft a quarterback fairly high next spring.
The hope is that Ridder can become a franchise quarterback and lead the team for the foreseeable future, but it's good to have a rainy-day backup plan.
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