At what point would Desmond Ridder start for the Atlanta Falcons?

There is no doubt about it — unless you are a huge Marcus Mariota fan — we all want to see rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder on the field for the Atlanta Falcons. He is either the future or he isn’t, but there is no way of knowing without getting him out on the field.

However, head coach Arthur Smith has been pushing back against it at all costs, he wants to keep playing Mariota, but is there a point where he would make the switch?

Could Arthur Smith turn to Desmond Ridder to lead the Atlanta Falcons soon?

It has been a huge question for weeks now, everyone is wondering when we will get to see Desmond Ridder take snaps as the Atlanta Falcons quarterback. It seems like Arthur Smith has been totally against it but at what point would he give in?

There is no clear answer to this because we aren’t inside Arthur Smith’s head, but we can make predictions and that is what we are going to do.

The first thing we can do is look at the upcoming schedule and see where Desmond Ridder could maneuver himself into the starting lineup.

• Week 13: vs. Steelers
• Week 14: BYE
• Week 15: @ Saints
• Week 16: @ Ravens
• Week 17: vs. Cardinals
• Week 18: vs. Buccaneers

That is the final stretch and let’s be honest, there is not a spot in there where you could see Arthur Smith making the move for Desmond Ridder.

Your first instinct would be to make the switch right after the game against the Steelers, but you should basically throw that idea out the window because the Falcons would not want him starting his first two games in New Orleans and Baltimore. The coaches would no doubt prefer him to make his first start at home.

So, if it is going to happen then expect him to start against the Cardinals. He would get to finish out the season at home. He would also be playing against an awful Cardinals defense. But again, that is a huge “IF.” At this point, it feels like things are more doubtful than hopeful.

The other factor here is the Falcons’ playoff chances, if they get eliminated, then it becomes more likely that Ridder will start but with the way the NFC South is shaking out, that might not happen until the regular season is officially over.