Falcons coach Arthur Smith hopes to avoid 'musical chairs' scenario at QB amid switch to Taylor Heinicke

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Third-year Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith has faced some scrutiny over the past couple of weeks. The Falcons have dropped three of their past four games, and second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder was benched in favor of veteran signal caller Taylor Heinicke.

Ridder was elevated to the starting position for the final four games of the 2022 season and started for the first eight games of this season. He was pulled from a Week 8 matchup with the Tennessee Titans at halftime and Heinicke handled the quarterback duties for the remainder of the game.

Heinicke was then named the starting quarterback for the Week 9 games against the Minnesota Vikings. Heinicke finished the game with 268 passing yards and one touchdown against one interception. Despite suffering a loss, Atlanta scored a season-high 28 points. Heinicke's performance appears to have given Smith the confidence to continue to have him start — at least for the time being.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Desmond Ridder #9 and Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to playing the Miami Dolphins in a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The Falcons go on their bye after this week's matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, which should give Smith and the coaching staff ample time to assess the quarterback situation.

On Wednesdays, Smith said the quarterback decision is "my responsibility and what they pay me for." He said he doesn’t want uncertainty at the position to continue through the season.

JOSHUA DOBBS MAKES ELECTRIC VIKINGS DEBUT, LEADS TEAM ON WILD GO-AHEAD