Named starting quarterback
Head coach Arthur Smith announced Tuesday that Ridder will be the Falcons' starting quarterback to begin the 2023 campaign, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
After the acquisition of Taylor Heinicke earlier this month, Rothstein reported that Ridder was still expected to retain the starting gig, and Smith finally confirmed as much. Smith's comments also suggest that the Falcons aren't targeting a quarterback with the No. 8 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Ridder took over for a struggling Marcus Mariota and started the final four games of the 2022 campaign, completing 63.5 percent of his pass attempts for 708 yards and two touchdowns while carrying 16 times for 64 yards. Ridder didn't throw an interception in any of those contests but lost fumbles in Week 17 and 18 wins over the Cardinals and Buccaneers, respectively.
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Kyle Pitts
TE | ATL
Not practicing yet
Pitts (knee) isn't practicing this week, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Cordarrelle Patterson
RB | ATL
Could end up a cap casualty
Patterson and Tyler Allgeier are part of a backfield that now includes eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson, Scott Bair of AtlantaFalcons.com reports.
Tyler Allgeier
RB | ATL
Looking at reduced role
Allgeier will be joined by No. 8 overall draft pick Bijan Robinson in the Atlanta backfield, The Athletic's Josh Kendall reports.
Bijan Robinson
RB | ATL
Taken eighth overall by Atlanta
The Falcons selected Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, eighth overall.
Jeff Okudah
DB | ATL
Traded to ATL
The Lions are trading Okudah to the Falcons, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Scott Miller
WR | ATL
Headed to Atlanta
Miller is slated to sign a one-year deal with the Falcons, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Mack Hollins
WR | ATL
Lands in Atlanta
Hollins agreed to a one-year deal with the Falcons on Sunday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Taylor Heinicke
QB | ATL
Prepping for backup role
Heinicke said his goal is to be "the best backup I can" behind fellow Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports. "They drafted [Ridder] high for a reason," Heinicke added Thursday afternoon.
Desmond Ridder
QB | ATL
Still viewed as Falcons' starter
Despite the Falcons' reported signing of Taylor Heinicke, Ridder is still expected to enter training camp as the starting quarterback, ESPN's Michael Rothstein reports.
Taylor Heinicke
QB | ATL
Linking up with Atlanta
The Falcons are slated to sign Heinicke to a two-year contract, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.