Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith is making a QB change, at least for now. Arthur Smith named Taylor Heinicke as the Falcons starting QB for the Week 9 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, but he was pretty careful to specify that the change was for this week, not necessarily for the remainder of the season.
Desmond Ridder did not play in the 2nd half of the Falcons loss to the Titans and the offense looked much better with Taylor Heinicke taking the snaps. Desmond Ridder will still be serving as the backup QB, so he has clearly advanced through concussion protocols and health is not the deciding factor in this decision.
While the Falcons are 4-4, they are also tied atop the NFC South and could be making the QB change in an attempt to push for the playoffs with Taylor Heinicke leading the way.
The Saints and Falcons are currently tied atop the division and face off in Week 12, with both teams coming off a Week 11 bye. Atlanta faces the Vikings and Cardinals the next two weeks. The Saints host the Bears then travel to face the Vikings. If Heinicke is still the quarterback, he would mark the fourth consecutive game, starting with Gardner Minshew and the Colts, that the Saints face off against a QB that was not the Week 1 starter. Tyson Bagent is expected the start for Chicago with Justin Fields working back from a hand injury, and Josh Dobbs is the presumed starter for the Vikings after being acquired by trade at the deadline. Kirk Cousins is out for the remainder of the season with a torn achilles.