After the Panthers game, the Falcons are turning to quarterback Taylor Heinicke.The quarterback position is being changed by the Atlanta Falcons once more.
The organization said on Tuesday that Taylor Heinicke would start against Indianapolis on Sunday, taking Desmond Ridder’s spot for the second time this year.
Arthur Smith, the coach of the Falcons, has stated repeatedly that he did not want to see his quarterback play incessantly. However, he raised the subject on Monday when he talked about maybe switching to the position once more.
“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.”
In another crucial moment, Ridder threw an interception in the red zone on Atlanta’s final drive, which resulted in the game-winning score for Carolina. This was Ridder’s sixth red zone turnover of the season, the most in the NFL. This season, Ridder completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,528 yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 11 fumbles. He also ran the ball 51 times for 193 yards and five touchdowns.
Smith had started the season alongside Ridder, but in October, after seven turnovers in three games, he replaced him. This season, Heinicke has completed 55.4% of his passes for 498 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Heinicke started losses against Minnesota and Arizona.
Heinicke’s starting record is 12-14-1. Throughout his career, he has played for Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, and Houston, completing 63.2% of his throws for 6,243 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.
The Falcons made the move two days after Smith declared that after Atlanta’s 9-7 loss to Carolina, when the club scored one touchdown against the weakest team in the NFL, they would once again be reviewing everything.
Following their second consecutive defeat, Atlanta’s standing in the NFC South dropped to 6-8, with the team now needing to win games in addition to receiving assistance in order to qualify for the postseason. The Falcons’ next game is against the Colts on Sunday.
READ MORE
The Atlanta Falcons and former Patriots coach Bill Belichick have concluded their second interview.
After his second coaching interview, Bill Belichick is getting closer to joining the Atlanta Falcons, the team that saw its greatest setback under his leadership.
On Friday, Bill Belichick wrapped off his second coaching interview with the Atlanta Falcons, putting him one step closer to joining the team that saw its greatest setback under his leadership.
The Falcons also held a virtual meeting with Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, but Belichick was the center of attention because of rumors that he was the team’s top pick and had traveled to Atlanta on one of owner Arthur Blank’s private planes.
It would be a surprising development if Belichick joins the Falcons, who haven’t won a Super Bowl since 2017 and have never had a winning season.
During the 2016 season, Belichick was the coach of the New England Patriots, who staged the greatest Super Bowl comeback in history, defeating the Falcons 34-28 in overtime after trailing 28-3 in the second half.
A year later, Atlanta qualified for the playoffs but hasn’t returned since. Shortly after the terrible loss at New Orleans in the season’s final game, which concluded Arthur Smith’s third consecutive 7-10 campaign, he was dismissed.
