CHARLES ODUM
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, foreground, throws during the NFL team's football practice, Friday, June 2, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' Ridder emboldened by 4-game audition entering 2023 as starting QB

By Charles Odum 8 hrs ago
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Desmond Ridder's four-game audition as the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith watches offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn (56) during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp, Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Matthew Bergeron using Falcons' rookie minicamp to learn new left guard position

By Charles Odum May. 13, 2023 03:54 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The second day of the Atlanta Falcons' rookie minicamp was

Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson (7) stretches during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp Friday, May 12, 2023, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson signs contract, debuts No. 7 jersey at rookie minicamp

By Charles Odum May. 12, 2023 05:03 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Bijan Robinson has a new number with a big Atlanta history

Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Bijan Robinson speaks at an NFL football news conference at the team's training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Falcons add RB Bijan Robinson to young core around QB Ridder

By Charles Odum Apr. 29, 2023 07:30 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The NFL draft left the Atlanta Falcons exactly where they

Atlanta Falcons first round draft pick Bijan Robinson speaks at an NFL football press conference at the team's training facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., on Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Falcons trade up in 2nd round to draft Syracuse OL Bergeron

By Charles Odum Apr. 28, 2023 07:59 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — While running back Bijan Robinson remains the focus of the

FILE - Oklahoma running back Eric Gray, left, Texas running back Bijan Robinson, center, and Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs pose for a photo after completing their drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)
Falcons keep first-round focus on offense, take RB Robinson

By Charles Odum Apr. 27, 2023 09:24 PM EDT
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Bijan Robinson knows all about Atlanta Falcons coach

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Calais Campbell stretches during pre-game warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jan. 1, 2023, in Baltimore. The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent defensive end Calais Campbell, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Campbell, who played the last three seasons with the Ravens, has agreed to play the 2023 season in Atlanta, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
AP source: Falcons reach 1-year deal with DE Calais Campbell

By Charles Odum Mar. 29, 2023 04:16 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) prepare before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the 2022 season.The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)
Heinicke says he signed with Falcons to be Ridder's backup

By Charles Odum Mar. 16, 2023 05:42 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder's status as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback

FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) prepare before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the 2022 season.The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)
Falcons cut veteran QB Mariota, gain $12 million in cap room

By Charles Odum Feb. 28, 2023 11:08 AM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, a

FILE -Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks onto the field before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 he is encouraged by the progress of quarterback Desmond Ridder and the potential of building the team around the rookie.(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Falcons' Blank excited about building around Ridder at QB

By Charles Odum Feb. 08, 2023 07:34 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday he is encouraged by the progress of

Newly hired Atlanta Falcons Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen speaks during a news conference Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Nielsen lays out goal for Falcons D: Just get stops

By Charles Odum Feb. 06, 2023 04:06 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — At the start of his first week at the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons' Smith faces QB decision after another 7-10 finish

By Charles Odum Jan. 09, 2023 02:09 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith saw a glimpse of the Atlanta Falcons' future, with an

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (17) makes a touchdown catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Ridder throws first 2 TD passes as Falcons top Brady, Bucs

By Charles Odum Jan. 08, 2023 04:04 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder had almost a full season to plan how he would celebrate

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) works against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brady, Bucs hope to gain playoff momentum by beating Falcons

By Charles Odum Jan. 05, 2023 05:19 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — While Atlanta rookie Desmond Ridder is still looking for his first TD

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 17-9. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cardinals' Blough, Falcons rookie Ridder in QB spotlight

By Charles Odum Dec. 29, 2022 04:00 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — The quarterback carousel continues for the Arizona Cardinals, who now

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on reacts to a call in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons' Pees resumes lead role with defense following scare

By Charles Odum Dec. 20, 2022 04:13 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are planning to have veteran defensive

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Falcons QB Ridder delivers mixed results in debut as starter

By Charles Odum Dec. 19, 2022 05:22 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — There was more to be learned from rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder’s

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) pauses before answering questions during a news conference at the end of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Landover, Md. Washington won 13-19. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Falcons' Ridder has 4-game audition at QB with Mariota on IR

By Charles Odum Dec. 14, 2022 05:24 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons will have more on the line than

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ta'Quon Graham (95) fumbles the ball ahead of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons cling to hope Pitts, Graham can return this season

By Charles Odum Nov. 23, 2022 02:53 PM EST
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are not ruling out tight end Kyle

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Bears QB Fields has X-rays on left shoulder following loss

By Charles Odum Nov. 20, 2022 06:14 PM EST
ATLANTA (AP) — Quarterback Justin Fields hurt his left shoulder on the final series