4 Atlanta Falcons moves to help Desmond Ridder in 2023
By Nick Halden
![Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) scrambles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbloggingdirty-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F19748370-850x560-eabf2d02138598d718644c59208e79136d671cd35c9042e435a574984df8b2da.jpg)
Despite the Lamar Jackson rumblings and the unpredictability of the Atlanta Falcons front office, it seems increasingly likely the team sticks with Desmond Ridder. The second-year quarterback is on a bargain of a contract and showed steady improvement and an ability to take care of the football through four games.
If the Falcons focus their efforts on building a complete roster there is zero reasons to think they can’t be a playoff team with Desmond Ridder. In a weak NFC, the Falcons can commit to the run-first mentality of Arthur Smith and use Kyle Pitts and Drake London to keep the defense honest.
Going all in for a quarterback this off-season limits Atlanta’s ability to compete in the playoffs without much-needed depth.
Desmond Ridder is still unknown and should be given the chance to start for the first half of the 2023 season with a roster built around him. Sticking with Ridder opens up many possibilities for the team to improve both in the draft and free agency saving cap space on the highest-paid position. Leaving Atlanta with four clear moves to make to set Ridder up for 2023.