FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons have officially made a move at quarterback, naming rookie Desmond Ridder the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, replacing veteran Marcus Mariota.
"It was a performance-based decision," Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Monday. "Obviously where our circumstances are, we talked last time about trying to get over the hump in some of these close games and where we try to push the offense.
"We feel like that this is the best decision where he's at, where the team's at, as we prepare to go down to New Orleans.