Falcons QB Desmond Ridder 'Set Up For Success'; Trevor Lawrence Trajectory?

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a bounce back year in 2022. Could Atlanta Falcons signal caller Desmond Ridder see the same in 2023?

Jeremy Brener | Feb 3, 2023

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Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is preparing for his first official NFL offseason.

As a rookie in 2022, Ridder started four games and winning the final two games of the season for the Falcons.

Even though his numbers didn't jump off the page, Ridder's quarterback coach Jordan Palmer, brother of former No. 1 pick Carson, has faith that he will continue to grow.

"[Ridder] is set up for success,” Palmer told The Athletic. “I think that’s one of the best staffs in the league. He’s in position to have a big second year just like I said 12 months ago about Trevor Lawrence.”

Lawrence definitely saw growth from Year 1 to Year 2. After quarterbacking the worst team in the league in 2021, throwing for 3641 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, the former Clemson Tiger turned things around in 2022. This past season, Lawrence threw for 4113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Ridder doesn't quite have the same level of expectations that Lawrence had as a No. 1 pick, but it's encouraging to have a well-respected quarterback mind like Palmer believe in his abilities.

Ridder is the likeliest option to play quarterback next season among the players on the roster, especially with Marcus Mariota potentially being cut with his $12 million cap hit. However, there is also a great chance that Mariota could be replaced by someone who could jump Ridder on the depth chart, like San Francisco 49ers signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo.

But if Ridder is given the green light in 2023, he is in a position that sets him up for success.

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Published Feb 3, 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.