Atlanta Falcons News: Will Desmond Ridder Be Falcons' Starting QB in 2023?
Expectations are high for Desmond Ridder’s first career start. In fact, they’re so high that sportsbooks are already moving on to 2023. At least the books believe he has already earned enough trust for 2023.
Kyle Newman - December 18, 2022, 8:33 AM EST
5 minAtlanta Falcons News: Will Desmond Ridder Be Falcons' Starting QB in 2023?
Expectations are high for Desmond Ridder’s first career start. In fact, they’re so high that sportsbooks are already moving on to 2023. Yep, the third-round pick out of Cincinnati has already earned enough trust for 2023, at least that’s what the books believe.
Atlanta Falcons News
Ridder is given -175 odds, or an implied 63.6% chance to be the Falcons starter in 2023. To put that into context, Trey Lance is only given -120 odds or an implied 54.5% chance to be the 49ers starter in 2023. So, the books believe Ridder has about a 10% better chance of being a starter next year than the third overall pick from the 2021 draft.
Those expectations may be high, but they’re still within reason. After all, the Falcons are still four-point underdogs this Sunday. If Ridder did manage to get his first win on the road, he’d be the first Falcons QB to do so since Kurt Kittner beat the Giants at Giants Stadium in 2003.
The books are hedging here. Ridder staying the QB is the most likely thing to have happened for two reasons. First, if he leads the team to an NFC South title then they’re not going to move on from him. Second, even if he only manages to win one or two games he’ll likely take the Falcons out of position to draft one of the top QBs.
Still, if the Falcons completely bottom out and go 0-4 to end the season there’s a chance he could get replaced. That’s where the +135 odds, or implied 42.6% chance he gets replaced comes in. It’s not the likeliest option, but it’s one that has to be strongly considered given how poorly the Falcons have played this year.
Desmond Ridder Week 1 QB in 2023 Odds
Yes or No | Odds | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|
Yes | -175 | 63.6% |
No | +135 | 42.6% |
