Atlanta Falcons must give Desmond Ridder a chance this season

The Atlanta Falcons seem increasingly likely to start veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota for the first few games of the season. Rookie Desmond Ridder is a third-rounder on a rebuilding team who will be facing very little pressure when the season kicks off. All of the pressure is going to fall on the veteran Marcus Mariota.

Mariota will be the player attempting to replace stalwart Matt Ryan and deal with expectations. Any slip-ups will have some fans demanding Desmond Ridder get his chance. Having Mariota start the season and easing in Ridder is the right decision, however, Atlanta cannot afford to wait a full season to find out what they have in Desmond Ridder.

Heading into an off-season with an impressive quarterback draft class and increasing star quarterback movement Atlanta needs to know exactly what they have in Desmond Ridder. No matter how well Mariota may play the Falcons must give Ridder enough time to evaluate the young quarterback and determine whether or not he is the long-term answer at the position.

The only way Ridder shouldn’t be given starts this year is if the Falcons find a way to magically keep themselves in the playoff hunt. Otherwise, this Atlanta Falcons roster needs to be given a chance to start Ridder and find out just what they have in the young quarterback.

Waiting another year not only could cost the Falcons a chance at finding another answer but it would waste a year of Ridder’s rookie deal. We have watched throughout the league with young star quarterbacks oftentimes the best time to win is right when the team can afford to build a better roster because their quarterback is still on a rookie deal.

If Ridder is the answer Atlanta cannot afford to waste a full season of the young player considering they lack a playoff-caliber roster or quarterback. The season is a loss so the team must find a way to set themselves up for 2023 whether that means getting Ridder ready to lead Atlanta or learning he isn’t the answer. Either way the Falcons cannot afford to go a full season without learning what they have in Desmond Ridder.