The Atlanta Falcons are riding with Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback this season. Despite starting just four games as a rookie in 2022, the former third-round pick out of Cincinnati did enough to convince head coach Arthur Smith to buy in for 2023.
Ridder was interviewed on the “Rich Eisen Show” Wednesday, and praised Smith for his football knowledge. “Once we get in the building and talk about ball, he’s one of the smartest guys that I’ve ever talked to about it,” Ridder said of his head coach.
The Falcons quarterback went on to discuss his personal relationship with Smith and what it was like seeing Matt Ryan show up at training camp last week.
The @AtlantaFalcons QB told us about Year 2 with head coach Arthur Smith, what he’s learning and what’s coming down the pike for this offense:#NFL #NFLPreseason #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/5D9M8KAqHS
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 9, 2023
It was Smith who was impressed with Ridder during the team’s two joint practice sessions with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday and Wednesday. Smith praised Ridder’s decision-making following Wednesday’s practice in Miami, per team reporter Tori McElhaney.
Arthur Smith said he wants to go back and watch the film of practice, but did note he’s really liked Desmond Ridder’s decision making over the last couple of days.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) August 9, 2023
We’ll see how Ridder performs in an actual game on Friday evening when the Falcons take on the Dolphins.