Falcons QB Desmond Ridder responds to support from team

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder feels wanted after receiving votes of confidence from team owner Arthur Blank and general manager Terry Fontenot. 

"That's comforting for me, obviously, knowing that Mr. Blank and everyone in the organization believes in me and my skill set," Ridder told reporters on Wednesday, as shared by Michael Rothstein of ESPN. "At the end of the day, for myself, it's about putting a higher expectation than even what they have for myself and going out and trying to exceed that and be better."

Blank generated headlines Tuesday when he publicly said he and others within the organization "feel pretty strongly that (Ridder is) going to be our quarterback of the future" and that the Falcons "feel good about" the largely unproven 2022 third-round draft pick. 

Ridder's spot on Atlanta's roster seemingly wasn't always guaranteed this year, as the Falcons were repeatedly linked in rumors during the winter and early spring with Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson. However, head coach Arthur Smith named Ridder his 2023 starter back in March. 

Ridder appeared in just four regular-season games, all starts, as a rookie and attempted 115 passes over those contests. The 23-year-old completed 63.5% of his throws for 708 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and he rushed for 64 yards on 16 attempts. 

"We saw him in critical moments, third down, fourth down, end of game end to half. And he was able to produce in those moments," Fontenot said Wednesday morning about Ridder. "And also, Desmond, we saw him get knocked down. We saw him handle some adversity and we saw him respond to it. So, we believe in the makeup and the maturity, and then now we get into the offseason and it's about improvement as opposed to the immediate result." 

Such comments clearly bolstered Ridder, who noted Wednesday those words hit "a little more closer to home" than remarks from individuals outside the organization. Ridder will open an NFL regular season as a QB1 for the first time when Atlanta hosts the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 10.