When could the Atlanta Falcons start Desmond Ridder this season?

The Atlanta Falcons are heading into the season with veteran Marcus Mariota as their starting quarterback. With Arthur Smith’s history with Mariota, it seems safe to assume Mariota is going to have to actively lose the job for rookie Desmond Ridder to get a chance this season.

If the Falcons want to evaluate Ridder this season the path to Ridder starting is obvious. If Mariota stays healthy and is able to start each of the first ten weeks Atlanta will know whether or not they have a chance at being a fringe wildcard team. If they have fallen out of contention altogether it will be the perfect time to bench Mariota and start Desmond Ridder.

With seven games left on the season, Ridder would start against the Bears, Commanders, and Steelers for Desmond’s first three weeks as a starter. It is by far Atlanta’s three most consecutive winnable games and would put the rookie in the best possible situation considering the roster around him.

Starting him any sooner barring an injury would be a mistake. Arthur Smith and the Falcons owe it to Ridder’s development and Marcus Mariota to give the veteran the first ten starts and see what Mariota still has in the tank.

The Bears might be the only team in the NFC that is clearly worse than the Atlanta Falcons. They have zero weapons and few defensive pieces to threaten the rookie quarterback. It is the best possible team for Ridder to start his career against and would give the rookie the ability to make mistakes without blowing Atlanta off the field.

Whether or not it is against the Bears the Falcons need to give Ridder at least two starts this season. Considering the team will have to make a decision in the off-season as to who their franchise quarterback is. It appears Ridder is in the driver’s seat for the position but Atlanta needs to see Desmond put together at least two good games before completely committing to the rookie next season.