Desmond Ridder will begin the 2023 season as the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Arthur Smith told reporters Tuesday.
"The plan is to start Desmond," Smith said. "That's our plan going forward right now."
The news comes amid speculation that Atlanta could be a destination for Lamar Jackson, who revealed Monday that he requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens on March 2 amid negotiations for a new contract.
"As of March 2nd I requested a trade from the Ravens organization for which the Ravens has not been interested in meeting my value, any and everyone that's has met me or been around me know I love the game of football and my dream is to help a team win the super bowl," Jackson wrote.