Falcons 'Expected' to Trade QB Ridder

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. Backup Taylor 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.

New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has been critical of Atlanta's quarterback play last year, noting at the NFL Combine he may not have his job had the signal callers performed better.

Morris was similarly blunt when asked about his conversations with Ridder.

"This is a professional business, and you have to win," Morris said. "And we didn't do enough winning, or I wouldn't be standing here talking to you guys. So, you got to put Desmond in position and find a way to be the best version of himself."

And evidently, that includes a change of scenery and fresh start outside of Atlanta.