Falcons' Desmond Ridder talks 'outside noise' amid trade, benching whispers

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is trying to stay focused on the task at hand after the team scored a total of just 13 points over the past two games. 

"For me, I don’t let the outside noise kind of affect me," Ridder explained during a news conference, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I just know what I have to do every single day and that’s to improve. We talk a lot about here of the growth mindset, and for myself, that’s coming in watching the film...so it’s just about coming in here and getting better every single day. Not only myself but every other guy on this team getting better, so we can improve as a team." 

Ridder completed 19-of-31 pass attempts for 191 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions and one lost fumble in this past Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. According to ESPN stats, the 2022 third-round draft pick began Thursday ranked 31st in the NFL among qualified players with a 29.1 adjusted QBR and 28th with a 77.9 passer rating on the season. He's thus far recorded three touchdown passes and three interceptions for the 2-2 Falcons. 

Minnesota Vikings starter Kirk Cousins presumably would be an upgrade over Ridder, is on track to reach free agency after this season and was linked with the Falcons earlier this week. Elsewhere around the league, Mac Jones of the New England Patriots could possibly need a new home before the Oct. 31 trade deadline. 

Despite such whispers, Ridder suggested he isn't concerned about being benched or losing his job anytime soon.

"That’s playing in fear and that’s not something I want to do or would advise anyone to do is to play in fear, or to play like someone’s looking over your back," Ridder added during his comments. "...When you start to play with that fear you start to second guess things...When you get into that game of oh, is he going to bench me? Oh, is he going to do this? That’s when you start to get into a lot of crappy play and a lot of fear."

Ridder will look to silence such chatter when the Falcons host the 2-2 Houston Texans this Sunday. If he doesn't, head coach Arthur Smith could consider either going to backup Taylor Heinicke or asking the front office to make a splash before Halloween.