Falcons Bench Desmond Ridder for Second Time, Taylor Heinicke to Start

Decision follows Ridder's critical interception in recent game, raising questions about his future as Atlanta's starting quarterback.

Atlanta Falcons have benched quarterback Desmond Ridder for the second time this season, replacing him with Taylor Heinicke for the upcoming game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ridder's benching follows a critical interception in the red zone during a game against the Carolina Panthers, contributing to the Falcons' loss and diminishing their chances of making the playoffs.
Ridder, who was drafted by the Falcons in the third round, has struggled with turnovers throughout the season, leading the NFL with six red-zone turnovers.
Heinicke, who has already replaced Ridder once this season, has slightly better performance numbers despite the Falcons' losses during his previous starts.
The decision to bench Ridder again could signal the end of his tenure as Atlanta's starting quarterback, raising questions about the future direction of the team.