For the Atlanta Falcons, it only seemed like a matter of time before Desmond Ridder got the starting job at quarterback.
If they weren't competitive, it's likely Arthur Smith would have ridden it out with Marcus Mariota. But with them begrudgingly being cast into an NFC South race, the Falcons made the switch this week, and Smith did not mince words about why.
“I did make a switch at quarterback. Desmond Ridder will be the starter. It’s a performance-based decision,” he told reporters Monday.
It appears that didn't sit well with Mariota, who has remained on his career trajectory of "serviceable but not great" in Atlanta this season. It must be said he hasn't been throwing to elite receivers, although rookie Drake London has shown he has a bright future in the league. But Mariota is completing 62 percent of his passes, has thrown for 2,219 yards and 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
According to The Athletic's Josh Kendall, Mariota left the team Friday, a day after Ridder was named the starter, to address what is being called a chronic knee issue. There is no indication regarding when or if he'll return, but Smith addressed the knee injury in characteristically blunt fashion.
“[Mariota's knee] is nothing that has been an issue this season, but that’s his prerogative so …” Smith said, per Kendall. “Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans.”
MORE: Todd Bowles address Tom Brady altering gameplan rumors
Mariota, of course, was the contingency if Ridder struggled. And despite the Saints' poor record, playing them in Ridder's debut is hardly a slam dunk. The Saints are 10th in the NFL against the pass, so Ridder will be going up a fairly staunch secondary and pass rush.
Smith further elaborated Mariota's knee injury had nothing to do with the benching, and doubled down on it being performance based.
"I'm not a medical expert," he said. "Just tellin' you. It had nothing to do with that decision. And we'll just see how the week plays out."
Smith reiterated that Wednesday, telling reporters Mariota will have knee surgery and go on injured reserve.
#Falcons coach Arthur Smith tells reporters that QB Marcus Mariota will have knee surgery and is headed to Injured Reserve. Desmond Ridder would have started regardless: "I’m not a medical expert, I’m just telling you that it had nothing to do with the decision," per Smith.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 14, 2022
ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reported that executes from other teams are "scratching their heads" at the situation, noting that the Falcons couldn't place Mariota on the injured reserve without a legitimate injury that keeps him from playing. Florio said the Falcons could keep him on the roster or waive him, but that teams like the division-rival Saints or future 2022 opponents Ravens or Cardinals could claim him.
However, the Falcons wound up placing him on injured reserve.
The Falcons signed Logan Woodside from their practice squad. Between Ridder, Woodside, and Feleipe Franks, the Falcons now have three quarterbacks who have thrown four NFL passes.
Ridder, a Cincinnati product, was drafted in the third round by the Falcons. According to Smith, although this move was made to win, there is benefit in seeing what they have.
“There is risk anytime you make a move, but you have to be willing to take that if you want to break through,” he said, per AtlantaFalcons.com. “We have been in a lot of close games, made a lot of progress, but our objective is to get over that hump. If it benefits us in the long term, that’s a really good thing for us.”
Ultimately, Mariota was a known quantity and Ridder may have a higher ceiling. The issue is, Ridder also has a lower floor. If that floor turns out to be lower than anticipated, the Falcons will be missing their safety net in Mariota. That, however, is on Smith and the Falcons to figure out if it does come to pass.
Marcus Mariota contract
Mariota signed a two-year, $18,750,000 contract with the Falcons during the offseason, which includes a $5 million signing bonus, $6,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9,375,000, according to Spotrac.
His contract is structured in such a way that gives the Falcons an out in 2023. While Mariota will be due a base salary of $9 million, as well as a $3 million roster bonus, neither is guaranteed.
Mariota’s only guaranteed money in 2023 is a $2.5 million prorated bonus.
