The Atlanta Falcons have difficult decisions to make up and down the roster. The most difficult one may be with quarterback Logan Woodside.
It’s clear Desmond Ridder will be the team’s starter behind center. But the Falcons must answer the question of whether they plan to keep Woodside as a third-string quarterback next week.
Falcons insiders Josh Kendall of The Athletic and Michael Rothstein of ESPN concurred that the Woodside decision is a difficult one. But they disagreed on the outcome.
While far from fully confident in their predictions, Kendall projected the Falcons to keep Woodside. Rothstein predicted Atlanta to cut the potential third-string quarterback.
The rest of the roster, though, could ultimately determine whether the Falcons have the roster space for a third quarterback.
“This is a tricky decision because of Logan Woodside’s play, as well as the new three quarterback rule that’s in place,” Rothstein wrote. “Woodside was the last cut and if the Falcons were a little healthier in other places, he’d make the final roster.
“Don’t be surprised if he ends up back on the 53-man sooner than later if he’s not on the initial one.”
Kendall argued that Arthur Smith will keep three quarterbacks because of the new league rule. But Kendall referred to his own Woodside prediction as “questionable ground.”
The potential third-string quarterback completed 24 of 31 passes for 196 yards on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished the preseason 42-for-60 with 400 passing yards.
While he posted a 70% completion percentage, he also averaged just 6.7 yards per pass. He also had no touchdowns but also zero interceptions.
Taylor Heinicke will serve as Ridder’s backup behind center. The Falcons will open the season at home against the Carolina Panthers on September 10.
