Falcons make weird decision with team captains

The Atlanta Falcons announced their 2023 NFL captains ahead of Week 1's matchup and starting quarterback Desmond Ridder is not one of them. Per the team's release, there are five captains who will be tasked with leading the Dirty Birds in 2023: DB Jessie Bates IIIRG Chris LindstromDT Grady JarrettL Jake MatthewsK Younghoe Koo Jarrett, […]

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Sep 5, 2023 3:38 PM EDT

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder — John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons announced their 2023 NFL captains ahead of Week 1's matchup and starting quarterback Desmond Ridder is not one of them.

Per the team's release, there are five captains who will be tasked with leading the Dirty Birds in 2023:

DB Jessie Bates III
RG Chris Lindstrom
DT Grady Jarrett
L Jake Matthews
K Younghoe Koo

Jarrett, Matthews and Koo are returning captains, while Lindstrom and Bates are new additions.

Not naming Ridder is an odd move by Atlanta, who has had a QB at captain since anymore can remember. Even last year the team had named Marcus Mariota as a captain.

So, what exactly does this mean for Ridder?

It means the Falcons' second-year quarterback has a lot to prove after starting just four games in 2022 and seemingly wasn't leader-worthy in the eyes of head coach Arthur Smith, or his fellow teammates.

But contrary to what the doubters may believe about Ridder, Falcons' wide receiver Drake London has plenty of faith in him.

“He only had four games last year,” London said, via Joe Patrick of 92.9 The Game. “People didn’t really see all of Dez . . . Now they get to see him and get see what he does, so I think he’ll shut a lot of people up and silence those doubters for sure.”

#Falcons WR Drake London on QB Desmond Ridder: "He only had four games last year. People didn't really see all of Dez… Now they get to see him and get see what he does, so I think he'll shut a lot of people up and silence those doubters for sure."
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) September 4, 2023

Ridder also has faith in himself.

"I feel like I have to prove myself to myself," Ridder said, via Falcons' digital reporter Terrin Waack. "I know what I can do, both mentally and physically. Now, I have to go do it."

We'll see if Ridder can prove the doubters all wrong starting this Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Falcons kick off their regular season against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.