Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith has the team off to a 3-2 start with a winnable game vs Washington coming up on Sunday. This a position the team has not been in since 2017. Coach Smith is also seeking to end the team’s playoff draught, also since 2017. Coming off a huge win at home vs Houston, confidence is high and the organization knows it’s trending in the right direction, for now. Keeping this momentum will largely depend on the continued growth of QB Desmond Ridder, who had the best game of his young career last weekend.
Coach and quarterback are always linked in the NFL. Smith, however, decided to go all-in with Ridder this offseason instead of pursuing a veteran or moving up in the draft to select the likes of Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. Many questions have been thrown the coach’s way after Ridder struggled early on and calls for a change were made by fans and media alike. Ridder will certainly remain QB 1 after his performance Sunday, and it appears he will remain the guy in charge of the huddle even if more bumps in the road occur.
Coach Smith was asked by Dukes & Bell what he worked with Ridder on that gave him success vs Houston
“He’s a right-minded player. I said it last week and you can fact check me. You don’t want adversity but adversity is going to tell you a lot about people. I thought the way he responded in the second-half vs Jacksonville in London tells you a lot about him. We knew who Des was when we drafted him. We don’t need him to be anyone but the best version of himself,” Coach Smith explained.
Everyone has seen the talent that was amassed this offseason to give Ridder the best chance to succeed. From drafting Bijan Robinson and Drake London to bringing in veterans Mack Hollins and Jonnu Smith, the Falcons offense is as loaded as its been in a long time. It remains to be seen if Ridder can continue to take advantage of those weapons and make how he looked on Sunday the standard for his performances on the field. One thing is certain, however, is that he will be given the chance to do just that.
