Atlanta benching Ridder for Heinicke against Vikings

During the weekend, Taylor Heinicke claimed the Atlanta Falcons were still Desmond Ridder‘s franchise. However, today, the organization named Heinicke the team’s starting QB.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The #Falcons have benched Desmond Ridder and will be starting Taylor Heinicke at QB this week.

Big changes in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/YFmOKa2iLE

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 1, 2023

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Atlanta manager Arthur Smith, in announcing the move, made sure that everybody understood that this was only valid for the upcoming match. The head coach didn’t say anything about whether Heinicke will remain the starting quarterback after the weekend’s clash vs. the Minnesota Vikings or give more details about why they decided to change the starting QB.

“There are many factors,” Smith shared. “Then, considering the last 3 days and kind of where we’re at the moment, going into Sunday with Minnesota, getting ready to face the Vikings. A really solid franchise is coming in here.

“We will put Heinicke as a starter, and that’s why he’s here next to me.”

The Falcons manager declined to be clear if this is a performance-based or medical decision to bench Ridder.