FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Desmond Ridder's four-game audition as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback at the end of the 2022 season was crucial for more than the former third-round draft pick entering the 2023 season.
Jake Matthews, a 10th-year left tackle, said those four games provided an important transition to the leader of a young core on offense that now includes rookie running back Bijan Robinson. The Falcons are taking part in organized team activities this week, and Matthews said after Wednesday's session that the final month of the schedule last season provided a "very" important reason to believe other starters on offense can have confidence in Ridder, who was a rookie last year.
"He showed improvement in every game," Matthews said. "He's proven he can play. Now we just have to continue to learn and to improve and play and show it."
Falcons coach Arthur Smith said he expects Ridder, who turns 24 at the end of August, to open the season as the starter. Taylor Heinicke, 30, was signed to be Ridder's backup, but with more than two dozen starts in his pro career, Heinicke could step in if necessary.
Ridder, a third-round draft pick out of the University of Cincinnati in 2022, opened his rookie season as NFL veteran Marcus Mariota's backup. Mariota was benched with four games remaining and then opted for season-ending knee surgery, opening the way for Ridder to produce a 2-2 record in the finish to a 7-10 season.
Ridder completed 63.5% of his passes for 708 yards, and he had two touchdowns in the season-ending win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Wednesday, Ridder said the four starts -- he had not appeared in a live game since the preseason to that point -- were "100% crucial" for him to feel more comfortable entering his first full season as the starter.
"The more team game reps you can take, obviously, you know, the better and the more comfortable you're going to feel," he said, adding that "having those four games" heading into the offseason "was crucial for me."
AP photo by John Bazemore / Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws out the ceremonial first pitch before an MLB game between the Seattle Mariners and the host Atlanta Braves on May 21.Further clarity to the team's commitment to Ridder came when Mariota, drafted No. 2 overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, was released on Feb. 28 — he wound up signing with the Philadelphia Eagles — and the Falcons did not commit a draft pick or a large portion of their free-agent budget to another quarterback.
Ridder is now in the spotlight as the key member of a young core of playmakers that include Robinson — the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft — running back Tyler Allgeier, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. Another rookie, Matthew Bergeron, will compete for a starting job at left guard.
Ridder was even the topic of the Falcons' recruiting pitch to defensive end Calais Campbell, who said last month he asked about the quarterback before agreeing to a one-year deal as a free agent.
"You want to win, and to win, you have to have a good quarterback," Campbell said, adding "I saw his potential" when the Falcons played Campbell's Baltimore Ravens last season. Even so, Campbell said he asked Smith about Ridder.
"He said, 'Well, let's put the tape on,'" Campbell recalled. "We were talking through what makes him special, and you put the tape on and you see he has the intangibles and he can develop. I mean, he's still young, and he's going to have growing pains. ... For a second-year player, though, you see his potential."
That spotlight has continued in the offseason, with Ridder making an appearance at a NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on May 21 when Major League Baseball's Braves hosted the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park.
"We had had a not-so-good first pitch by (Falcons guard Chris) Lindstrom a couple of weeks before, so when I got out there, I had to bring the team average up just a little bit," Ridder said. "... It got across the plate."
Ridder knew his accuracy on the mound would be closely watched. Smith knows his quarterback's accuracy on the field also will be under scrutiny, even in Atlanta's run-first attack.
The coach said he was encouraged by Ridder's progress through his four starts and that the momentum has continued in the offseason.
"The improvement in those four starts, you're looking at the situational stuff he handles," Smith said. "And you may get off to a rough start. Can you settle down? Can you adapt and see what their game plan is? The critical downs, I talk about it all the time, third down and red zone and two-minute (situations), and I thought he made a lot of strides there."
The Falcons have one more session of organized team activities, and next week they will transition to minicamp, working Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta and Wednesday and Thursday at their practice facility in Flowery Branch.
AP photo by Butch Dill / Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder waves to fans before a NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19. Although he is entering only his second year in the NFL, Ridder is quickly becoming the face of the Falcons on and off the field as their expected starter entering the 2023 season.Out for the season
Avery Williams, a running back and return specialist, is expected to miss the 2023 season after sustaining a knee injury in a noncontact drill during practice Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Smith said Williams is set for surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Thursday.
Though primarily a reserve player on offense, Williams was the Falcons' primary punt returner in 2022. He had 18 returns for 292 yards, a strong average of 16.2 yards.
"We love Avery," Smith said. "He's got the mindset, and I fully expect him to come back."
Williams was preparing for his third season. He was a fifth-round draft pick out of Boise State in 2021 who used his versatility, including as a cornerback, to secure a roster spot.
He had 22 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown and 13 catches for 61 yards last season.