In a revealing moment at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Atlanta Falcons’ newly appointed head coach Raheem Morris did not mince words about the team’s quarterback situation last season. Without directly naming Desmond Ridder, Morris implied that subpar quarterback performance was a significant factor in the team’s struggles, suggesting a pivotal reason for his current position as head coach.
Morris, who steps in to succeed Arthur Smith following three consecutive 10-loss seasons under Smith’s helm, hinted that an upgrade in quarterback play could have altered the team’s recent history. This critique puts Ridder’s future with the Falcons in jeopardy as the team eyes improvement.
Under Morris’s vision, the Falcons are gearing up for a competitive season, banking on the talented roster assembled by the team’s management, including General Manager Terry Fontenot. Morris expressed confidence in the team’s potential, emphasizing the need for a capable quarterback to lead the Falcons to success.
The Falcons boast high-caliber players like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London, each a top-8 draft pick in their respective years. The onus is on leveraging these assets by securing a quarterback who can harness the team’s full potential.
Fontenot, aligning with Morris’s assessment, acknowledged the urgency of addressing the quarterback position, promising an aggressive approach in enhancing the team’s overall performance. However, the path to securing a new quarterback remains uncertain, with options ranging from NFL veterans like Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson to potential draft picks beyond the Falcons’ current No. 8 selection.
Ridder’s future as the Falcons’ starter appears bleak following a season of mixed performances and benchings. Despite starting the season as the first-choice quarterback, Ridder’s inconsistency led to multiple benchings in favor of Taylor Heinicke. Ridder’s season statistics reflect the team’s broader challenges, contributing to the Falcons’ absence from the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.
As the Falcons navigate the offseason, the quest for a quarterback who can turn the team’s fortunes around is paramount. With Morris at the helm and a clear mandate for improvement, all eyes will be on the Falcons’ next moves in the quarterback market.