Falcons to start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback vs. Vikings

“Actually kind of funny,” Heinicke said. “(Coach) Arthur (Smith) texted me last night around 10, 10:15 (p.m.) and of course I was sleeping. So, my alarm goes off this morning around 5:30, 5:45 (a.m.) with my phone, and it’s the first thing I see. … I came in and started getting ready to go.”

Smith announced Wednesday that Heinicke, a sixth-year NFL veteran in his first season with the Falcons, will replace Ridder in the starting lineup. Signed in the offseason as an experienced option at the position, Heinicke played the second half of Sunday’s game against the Titans despite Ridder being available after clearing concussion protocol.

Smith was evasive when asked the long-term status of the position.

“Just for this week, with all of the variables, we were kind of considering in the last two hours, and what we feel is best for this week against Minnesota (is) Taylor will play this week,” Smith said.

Under Ridder, the Falcons’ offense is ranked 14th in the league in total yards (341.1). But the team’s turnover differential is eye-opening (minus-7, ranked 28th among the league’s 32 teams) and Ridder, who played turnover-free football in his four starts as a rookie in 2022, is responsible for 10 of the team’s 14 turnovers in the past five games.

Ridder, who did not speak to the media after practice Wednesday, will be available against the Vikings.

“We are fine with where he’s at (health-wise),” Smith said. “That is the plan for him to be ready to go if needed.” Smith said the plan is for Ridder to be the No. 2 quarterback. Logan Woodside would remain as the third quarterback/emergency quarterback.

Smith reiterated that the move was just for the Vikings’ game and not a permanent benching.

“No, we’re not getting into the long-term right now,” Smith said. “It’s just, we’re focusing on Minnesota and Taylor because there (are) a lot of variables. Just kind of looking at it short-term. … Really our focus is short-term and what gives us the best chance Sunday with everything being considered, a lot of variables.”

Ridder reportedly received the news well.

“When the news came out, we were right next to each other,” running back Bijan Robinson said. “When it came out today, he was fine. He didn’t look worried or fazed or anything. We were just still laughing and eating at the table. Taylor was right next to us as well. We were good.”

Heinicke has carved out a niche in the NFL as a backup.

“He’s a great pro,” Smith said. “That is what makes him who he is and why he’s been successful.”

So for this week, the team will turn to Heinicke, who was 12-for-21 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown against the Titans, as it prepares for its next game as the co-leaders of the NFC South.

“There is no reaction, that’s the coach’s decision,” Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts said. “I still have to do my job, so it’s not really something that I’m too much thinking about.”

Pitts doesn’t think the offense will change much.

“I wouldn’t say it changes (the offense),” Pitts said. “They are two different players, but they bring two different skill sets to the table.”

Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews agreed with Pitts.

“I wouldn’t say that it changes much,” Matthews said. “We have a lot of confidence in whoever we are putting back there. It’s not like we are going to be running some completely new offense. We’ll rally behind whoever is (playing). Go out there, as a point of pride, do our part to win games.”

Wide receiver Scott Miller caught a touchdown pass from Heinicke in the loss to the Titans.

“We’ve all had a ton of reps with Taylor in the offseason and in camp,” Miller said. “We are all excited for his opportunity. He’s a really good player. He’s played a ton of football in this league. Had a lot of success. So, I’m just excited to play alongside him.”

Despite nearly 15,000 passing yards in college, the 6-foot-1 Heinicke went undrafted in 2017, but has played in 34 games with 25 starts, including nine with the Washington Commanders last season.

The Falcons told Heinicke, who passed for 730 yards in a game while playing collegiately at Old Dominion, he was signed to be the backup quarterback to Ridder when agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million in March.

“I’ve lived this the last two years,” Heinicke said. “They brought me here to backup Des and help him in any way. If he goes down for whatever reason, go in there and do that.”

Because of his size (6-foot-1) and perceived arm-strength issues, he wasn’t drafted six years ago. He signed with the Vikings and had a stint on the Patriots’ practice squad before landing on the Texans’ practice squad.

With Houston, Heinicke was promoted during the 2017 season to back up T.J. Yates and Tom Savage. Yates is now the Falcons’ wide receivers coach.

Heinicke played with the Panthers in 2018. In a Week 16 start against the Falcons, he completed 33 of 53 passes for 274 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. He was subbing for Cam Newton, who was out with a shoulder injury.

It was a breakthrough game for Heinicke.

He didn’t play in 2019, but signed with the Commanders in 2020. With Alex Smith out with an injury, he started in a wild-card playoff game against Tampa Bay and passed for 306 yards, a touchdown and an interception, and he rushed for a touchdown in a 31-23 loss.

In 2021, he led the Commanders to a 34-30 win over the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 3. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 127.1 and tossed a game-winning 33-yard touchdown pass to J.D. McKissic with 33 seconds to play.

Last season, he led the Commanders to a 19-13 victory over the Falcons at FedEx Field on Nov. 27. He completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception and a passer rating of 88.7.

“He has experience and we’ve seen it up close and personal,” Smith said.

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