The Falcons officially introduced Raheem Morris on Monday, with various topics discussed during the press conference as the new head coach sat alongside Terry Fontenot.
Fontenot, Atlanta’s GM, was notably absent from the press conference following Arthur Smith’s departure, which raised some concerns about the organizational structure. While Fontenot asserted his leadership in the head coach search and clarified the power structure, skepticism remains.
While giving the new regime the benefit of the doubt, it’s essential to acknowledge that the team’s ownership remains the same. Therefore, cautious optimism is warranted. However, one aspect that doesn’t require caution is the Falcons’ quarterback situation.
In a conversation with Fox 5’s D.J. Shockley, Terry Fontenot indicated the end of the Desmond Ridder experiment. The Falcons will explore options to acquire a quarterback through trade, free agency, or the draft.
As previously discussed, Desmond Ridder is not a viable starter for the Falcons in 2024, barring injury. Some fans speculated that Zac Robinson, the former Rams quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator, could potentially improve the situation. However, it’s unrealistic to expect a miracle worker.
Even the most renowned offensive minds like Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay couldn’t overcome Ridder’s struggles in 2023. While some fans may attribute more blame to Arthur Smith, it’s unfair to discount Smith’s proven track record as a play caller. In contrast, the only concrete data available on Ridder is his lackluster performance.
Ridder, a third-round pick, led the league in red zone turnovers and missed two games, posing significant challenges for any play caller. While Arthur Smith may have faced difficulties in Atlanta, Ridder’s shortcomings suggest he isn’t the solution for the Falcons, regardless of the coordinator.
Thus, as Terry Fontenot emphasized, the Falcons will once again explore quarterback options, leaving no stone unturned in their search for a suitable signal-caller.
