Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Reveals Biggest Lessons from 4-Game Stretch

Desmond Ridder went 2-2 in the final four games of the season as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback.

Jeremy Brener | Jan 11, 2023

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder learned a lot during his four-game stretch as the team's starter to end the season.

A third-round pick out of Cincinnati, Ridder was handed the keys to the Falcons offense in December after the team's bye week following a continuous string of lackluster performances from incumbent starter Marcus Mariota.

Ridder lost his first two starts, knocking the Falcons out of the playoff race, but in two games with the pressure drifting away, Ridder pulled together a pair of wins to end the season ... likely because he started to execute the plan he was given.

"Just be patient," Ridder said. "Take what's there - don't try to do too much, don't try to force anything. You're going to have guys open, you're going to see guys, just make it there. Not only today but over the last four weeks, it's just been staying calm and taking what they give you."

Ridder played conservative at quarterback and didn't take too many risks. He didn't throw any interceptions, but also was denied the end zone until the final game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, arguably his best showing out of the four games.

Ridder threw for a season-high 224 yards and two touchdowns, the first of his career.

He was able to showcase his patience and found the looks he liked, but the question heading into the offseason is whether the Falcons will exhibit the same patience in keeping him as the starter ... or moving on with a veteran.

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Published Jan 11, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.