Falcons Coach Yates: Ridder Can Grow, But QB Play 'Has to Improve'

The 24-year-old Ridder was rocky across 13 starts last season, completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

He started the first eight games before entering concussion protocol at halftime of Week 8. Heinicke had an impressive second half in relief and started the next two weeks, but Ridder led a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter of Week 10 after Heinicke departed with a hamstring injury.

Then-Falcons coach Arthur Smith turned back to Ridder after the Week 11 bye, but the second-year pro lasted only four starts before being benched once more, this time after a backbreaking fourth quarter interception in a 9-7 road loss to the then-one-win Carolina Panthers.

Heinicke started the next two games but missed the season finale with an ankle injury, prompting Ridder back into the starting lineup. Atlanta didn't score in the second half en route to a 48-17 loss, and Smith lost his job later that night.

The Falcons lost Ridder's final three starts, and owner Arthur Blank dubbed his team's quarterback play "deficient" the day after firing Smith.

Still, Yates thinks Ridder has brighter days ahead as he accumulates experience.

"He'll continue to grow throughout his career in learning the game, learning how to play the game, protecting the ball better, all those different things," Yates said. "There's definitely ways that every player can improve."

And yet, change remains the expectation.

Blank reiterated Feb. 9 that each of the 14 head coaching candidates he interviewed noted quarterback was a position that needed to get better.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was vague in his assessment of the position's future during his introduction Feb. 5, and Robinson said Wednesday he needs to watch more film on Ridder - but he's "excited" to do so.

Nevertheless, Atlanta's likely to turn over every stone this spring in its pursuit of a new franchise signal caller.

"We're just going to look at every option we have," Yates said. "And obviously, we all know that position for this football team has to improve, and we're going to do everything we can to improve it."

The Falcons own the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft and currently have $25.8 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.

Atlanta has the capital to improve under center. By all accounts, the trio of Blank, Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot appear steadfast on utilizing it.

But for now, Ridder and Heinicke sit atop the Falcons' depth chart. That much is certain. What's almost as certain is the picture will look quite different in three months.

"They're here and they're on our roster right now," Yates said of Ridder and Heinicke. "Obviously it's going to be a changing situation, an evolution at every step of the way through free agency, the draft, all those things.

"But right now, they're here with us, and we've got to prepare like they're going to be here with us."

Ridder has two years left on his rookie contract, while Heinicke has one year remaining on the two-year deal he signed last March. The Falcons will clear almost $7 million in cap space if they release Heinicke before June 1.

So, what's next?

For the next several weeks, speculation - but Blank appears charged to reinvigorate the quarterback spot and find a long-term solution this offseason, with Ridder seemingly not an option for the 81-year-old owner.

"It's very clear to everybody, all of our fans, all of you, anybody throughout the NFL, that this is a position we need to figure out how we're going to get better in 2024 and beyond," Blank said.