The Atlanta Falcons (4-4) are rolling with Taylor Heinicke as their starting quarterback in this Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings (3-4). After replacing Desmond Ridder in the second half of Week 8, head coach Arthur Smith said Heinicke will remain QB1 in Week 9.
Falcons fans on Twitter were mostly supportive of the decision while some felt Smith should have made the quarterback change weeks ago.
The Falcons would be 5-3 had they done this sooner https://t.co/YhIhHqrNSq
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) November 1, 2023
Falcons built a team that can win the NFC South but are limited by inconsistent QB play.
Desmond Ridder has a NFL-high 12 turnovers this season — 7 in his last 2 1/2 games. Taylor Heinicke gets a shot Sunday vs Vikings to see if he can lead offense without debilitating…
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) November 1, 2023
Aaaaand there we are. Shame for Des, but performance based business and he didn't do enough to secure his job even if there were signs of improvement. Hopefully he's able to cement himself as a backup-type along the way and earn some longterm wealth
The search for a QB continues https://t.co/VjZkgq8JGD
— Stephen H (@HarrahAtl) November 1, 2023
VIDEO: Arthur Smith was asked multiple times behind the specifics of starting Taylor Heinicke this week
His responses:
"lots of variables"
"my answer is not going to change"
"those are your words" pic.twitter.com/uA9CIDFxB5— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) November 1, 2023
4 QBs in less than three full seasons… ok man lol
— Fire FedEx Boy (@onlyonejj22) November 1, 2023
With the Falcons turning to Heinecke 2 weeks before the bye, it makes you think;
Is Arthur Smith closer to getting fired than we initially thoughtM
— Micah (@MicahLangston_) November 1, 2023
Regardless of what HC Arthur Smith decides, I’m a Ridder fan. Sorry guys, I know y’all are mad at him but I think he’s a good QB and I want to see him succeed. If he gets benched, I hope he can work his way back to QB1 and eliminate the mistakes. We will see what happens at 11:30
— Tish ❤️🖤🏈 (@tish________) November 1, 2023
Arthur Smith saw this and thought “that’s my guy”. King pic.twitter.com/cVcuK0p16Q
— Andy (@AndySGallagher) November 1, 2023
There's no denying Ridder was making progress after the London debacle. You just can't expect to commit 13 turnovers (there could easily be more from GB and DET games) in eight games and be a starting QB when the team is averaging 17 points per game.
— Allen Strk (@allenstrk) November 1, 2023
If I’m being honest……..I want a loss so bad just to get AS up out of here with his dumb play calling. Taylor can go off after that but AS gotta go. 3 top 10 picks and we’re playing qb carousel. https://t.co/oM5KyXWHkV
— Bearded Pop-Pop 🦁 (@atomant25gt) November 1, 2023
Great. Heinicke is the starter. Cool.
Just win some damn games man… pic.twitter.com/0dFCnZY0Wu
— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) November 1, 2023
I think Taylor Heinicke does give Atlanta a higher floor in the short term and probably a more sustainable ceiling. He also seemed to have a greater command of things on Sunday. Ridder has just been too inconsistent.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) November 1, 2023
Well, that’s probably the end of the Desmond Ridder era. https://t.co/pI837MruWM
— Cory Woodroof (@CoryWoodroof47) November 1, 2023
ok so the falcons need a quarterback yet again
— kelsey orr (@kelseytayorr) November 1, 2023
I've said this before, and I'll say it again, Henicke is not the savior of this football team. Henicke may bring some stability, but ultimately, what this should tell us is that Art's seat is warm at the moment, and that long grace period we thought he had isn't the case anymore.
— Nique (@therealpattman) November 1, 2023
Desmond Ridder was handed the starting quarterback job on a silver platter and literally fumbled it away.
— kenny g. (@Gritz_Blitz) November 1, 2023
Just had this feeling after watching Monday’s presser.
“This week”
If Taylor plays well, and we win, then we keep rolling with him. If he comes out and shits the bed…well, he is the back up so here comes Des again.That’s kinda how I see it. https://t.co/27lBkzAZNL
— Outta Your Falcon Mind Podcast 🏈 (@OuttaYourFnMind) November 1, 2023
Arthur Smith has decided to start Taylor Heinicke. Going into a game that is a must win game, he decided to go with the veteran. Smith won't admit this, but that says a lot about Desmond Ridder's future in the red and black.
— Jarvis Davis (@JarvisD90) November 1, 2023
i thought worst case scenario was Ridder getting benched after 4 games but getting benched after 8 isn’t far behind. feels like we’ve just wasted so much time
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) November 1, 2023
If they’re looking to win games this season then this could be the right move but if they don’t make the playoffs then Smith should be fired for just how badly he’s handled the QB situation in the three years he’s been in his post https://t.co/89bpadcmlF
— Andy (@AndySGallagher) November 1, 2023
Put the audio from Falcons head coach Arthur Smith's press conference into the Otter transcribing service, and the word "variables" came up 10 times in the raw transcript.
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) November 1, 2023
