Taylor Heinicke To Serve As Desmond Ridder's Backup

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke said that his mindset is to be "the best backup I can be to Desmond Ridder." The Falcons were clear that Heinicke would be the backup when they signed him in free agency this week. "They drafted (Ridder) high for a reason," Heinicke said. The 30-year-old Heinicke signed for two years and $14 million with $6.32 million guaranteed, so he's one of the better-paid backup signal-callers in the league. Ridder was a third-round selection last year and made four starts in his rookie season, throwing for only 708 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on 115 passing attempts. He'll enter Week 1 as their starter, but the 23-year-old may need to play well to hold off Heinicke.