4 Biggest questions the Atlanta Falcons are facing in 2023 off-season

Jan 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the field before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the field before a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Atlanta Falcons
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 /

1. Will the Atlanta Falcons build around Desmond Ridder?

After parting ways with Matt Ryan a year ago and spending a rough season with Marcus Mariota as the starter until the final four games the quarterback position will be hyper-focused on this off-season. After years of stability with Ryan, Atlanta is facing quarterback questions for the first time in over a decade.

Atlanta’s best path forward is continuing to employ a patient approach and build a deep roster around Desmond Ridder. Even if the team doesn’t fully trust Ridder they would be far better served to add a reliable backup than to attempt to swing big at the position.

The Falcons have been a speculated landing spot for Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Jackson, and Derek Carr this off-season despite giving no indication they are in the quarterback market. The Falcons are going to prove a lot of people wrong if they build this team the correct way and give Ridder a chance to go into a season with few expectations and a great roster of skill players around him.