In a somewhat unsurprising turn of events, the Atlanta Falcons announced that Taylor Heinicke is set to reclaim his position as the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against Indianapolis.
This decision sees Heinicke replacing Desmond Ridder – an act not unfamiliar to followers of the Falcons this season.
Another QB change in Atlanta… Taylor Heinicke takes over. https://t.co/wHqaUn8fJ7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2023
Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith, is known for desiring consistency in the starting lineup, making this quarterback switch a somewhat reluctant but necessary move.
“That’s usually not a great situation to have,” Smith said. “You want to be fair and objective and obviously give people an opportunity. It was a belief in him, no matter what happens. It doesn’t mean anybody’s career is over, but we have to do what’s best for this team right now.”
This flexibility in the pivotal quarterback position emphasized the need for efficiency, particularly following Ridder’s critical error during the team’s final play against Carolina.
The final straw for Ridder was an unfortunate interception in the red zone during Atlanta’s last drive. This particular error proved costly as it paved the way for Carolina to score the game-winning play.
It was not the first mistake from Ridder, who posted the most red zone turnovers in the NFL this season with six.
Ridder, despite some high pressure errors, boasted some respectable stats, completing 63.3% of his passes this season and achieving a total of 2,528 passing yards, with 10 touchdowns.
However, his 10 interceptions and 11 fumbles were pivotal in team losses, prompting Smith to consider a change.
Stepping up to replace Ridder is Taylor Heinicke, a player familiar with the pressures of the starting position.
His performance prior to being replaced, consisting of losses against both Minnesota and Arizona, was noted for a 55.4% completion percentage this season with 498 passing yards.
With a career record of 12-14-1 as a starter, Heinicke is far from a newcomer in leading the offense.
Over the span of his professional career, working with renowned teams such as Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, and Houston, he maintains an average completion rate of 63.2% for over 6,000 passing yards.
The decision to switch back to Heinicke came hot on the heels of Atlanta’s 9-7 loss to Carolina, one of the weaker teams in the NFL.
Furthermore, this marked a second consecutive loss for Atlanta, highlighting the need for a change in the tide.
These most recent losses have seen the Atlanta Falcons fall from a secured first-place position in the NFC South, putting their playoff dreams in considerable jeopardy.
With their current score standing at 6-8, it’s clear that the Falcons need to pull some decisive victories out of the bag – starting on Sunday against the Colts.
