Just before 7:00 AM this morning, Atlanta Falcons reporter for The Athletic, Jeff Schultz, reported that a source told The Athletic that the Falcons were benching Desmond Ridder and starting Taylor Heinicke against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Then, shortly after 10:00 AM the Atlanta Falcons confirmed the move by releasing their depth chart that shows Taylor Heinicke as their starting quarterback. The Morning Shift reacted to the quarterback change as the news broke, and broke down what it means for Arthur Smith, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinkce, and the Falcons moving forward.
After being benched twice this season, nothing is written in stone of course, but the writing seems to be on the wall that Ridder has likely taken his last snap as the starting quarterback of the Falcons this season, barring any injury to Taylor Heinicke. Desmond might’ve even thrown his last pass as a Falcon.
Ridder has 16 turnovers this season, 10 interceptions and 6 fumbles lost, and his latest interception against the Carolina Panthers seems to be the one that may’ve been the beginning of the end of Ridder’s time in Atlanta.