For the Atlanta Falcons, it only seemed like a matter of time before Desmond Ridder got the starting job at quarterback.If they weren't competitive, it's likely Arthur Smith would have ridden it out with Marcus Mariota. But with them begrudgingly being cast into an NFC South race, I did make a switch at quarterback. Desmond Ridder will be the starter. Its a performance-based decision, he told reporters Monday.It appears that didn't sit well with Mariota, who has remained on his career trajectory of "serviceable but not great" in Atlanta this season. It must be said he hasn't been throwing to elite receivers, although rookie Drake London has shown he has a bright future in the league. But Mariota is completing 62 percent of his pa Natrell Jamerson Men Jersey ses, has thrown for 2,219 yards and 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Mariota left the team Friday, a day after Ridder was named the starter, to addre s what is being called a chronic knee i sue. There is no indication regarding when or if he'll return, but Smith addre sed the knee injury in characteristically blunt fashion. Mariota's knee is nothing that has been an i sue this season, but thats his prerogative so Smith said, per Kendall. Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. Its part of profe sional sports. You have to have contingency Joe Schobert Men Jersey plans.MORE:Mariota, of course, was the contingency if Ridder struggled. And despite the Saints' poor record, playing them in Ridder's debut is hardly a slam dunk. The Saints are 10th in the NFL against the pa s, so Ridder will be going up a fairly staunch secondary and pa s rush.Smith further elaborated Mariota's knee injury had nothing to do with the benching, and doubled down on it being performance based."I'm not a medical expert," he said. "Just tellin' you. It had nothing to do with that decision. And we'll just see how the week plays out."Smith reiterated that Wednesday, telling reporters Mariota will have knee surgery and go on injured reserve. coach Arthur Smith tells reporters that QB Marcus Mariota will have knee surgery and is headed to Injured Reserve. Desmond Ridder would have started regardle s: "Im not a medical expert, Im just Jacob Phillips Men Jersey telling you that it had nothing to do with the decision," per Smith. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) that executes from other teams are "scratching their heads" at the situation, noting that the Falcons couldn't place Mariota on the injured reserve without a legitimate injury that keeps him from playing. Florio said the Falcons could keep him on the roster or waive him, but that teams like the division-rival Saints or future 2022 opponents Ravens or Cardinals could claim him.However, the Falcons wound up .The Falcons signed Logan Woodside from their practice squad. Between Ridder, Woodside, and Feleipe Franks, the Falcons now have three quarterbacks who have thrown four NFL pa ses.Ridder, a Cincinnati product, was drafted in the third round by the Falcons. According to Smith, Brynden Trawick Youth Jersey although this move was made to win, there is benefit in seeing what they have.There is risk anytime you make a move, but you have to be willing to take that if you want to break through, he said, . We have been in a lot of close games, made a lot of progre s, but our objective is to get over that hump. If it benefits us in the long term, thats a really good thing for us.Ultimately, Mariota was a known quantity and Ridder may have a higher ceiling. The i sue is, Ridder also has a lower floor. If that floor turns out to be lower than anticipated, the Falcons will be mi sing their safety net in Mariota. That, however, is on Smith and the Falcons to figure out if it does come to pa s. Mariota signed a two-year, $18,750,000 contract with the Falcons during the offseason, which includes a $5 million signing bonus, $6,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9,375,000, .His contract is structured in such a way that gives the Falcons an out in 2023. While Mariota will be due Arden Key Jersey a base salary of $9 million, as well as a $3 million roster bonus, neither is guaranteed.Mariotas only guaranteed money in 2023 is a $2.5 million prorated bonus.