“If we had better quarterback play, I’m probably not standing here at this podium,” Morris told reporters at the Scouting Combine on Tuesday, as quoted by Pro Football Talk.

The 47-year-old is replacing Arthur Smith, who was fired after three consecutive seasons with a 7-10 record and no postseason appearances. His biggest challenge will probably be to solve the Falcons’ problem at quarterback, as the franchise has struggled since parting with longtime QB Matt Ryan in 2022.

Marcus Mariota was Atlanta’s first option in the post-Ryan era, but it wasn’t long before the veteran QB was replaced by Ridder, who was still a rookie by then. However, the third-round pick ended up being benched by Heinicke in 2023. With Morris making his thoughts clear on the Falcons’ QB play, the question is who will lead the offense from now on.

“I won’t bring up names,” Morris said. “But when you’re going through the process you have everything open. We’ve got so many avenues right now because we have free agency money, we have the ability to trade, whether it be trade for a player with a team, or be it trade up or back in the draft. It’s just really about the different scenarios you want to have at the quarterback position.”

QB situation a big challenge for Morris in Atlanta

The 19th head coach in franchise history, Morris faces the task of turning the Falcons around after years of misery. He arrives in Atlanta with a strong reputation from his time with the Los Angeles Rams, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023.

In fact, Morris has such an interesting profile that the Falcons chose him over former New England Patriots coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick, who interviewed twice for the job.

Morris’ work in LA included the Rams’ Super Bowl victory in 2022, with their defense ranking fourth in red zone efficiency rating and seventh in fewest rushing yards per game in the league over the last three seasons.

But the question is whether he’ll be able to fix an offense that has struggled since Ryan left the organization two years ago. Morris’ strength to run a defense is unquestionable, but his ability to upgrade an offense will be put to the test this year.

The Atlanta Falcons have had a promising start to the 2023 NFL season, currently sitting at 4-5 with a 2-0 record in the NFC South (still playing against Cardinals). They have shown significant improvement from their record last season, and there is optimism surrounding the team that they can return to the playoffs.

Taylor Heinicke has played a limited role in the 2023 NFL season for the Atlanta Falcons. He has played in two games, all in relief of an injured Desmond Ridder. In those two games, Heinicke has thrown for 443 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Heinicke’s probable injury

According to Tori McElhaney of Fox 5 Atlanta and who covers news for the Atlanta Falcons, Taylor Heinicke would have injured his hamstring during Week 10 game against the Cardinals. That could be a cause for concern for the Falcons after Bye Week.

It is still too early to say whether or not Heinicke will be the Falcons’ starting quarterback in Week 12. However, when a player injures his hamstring it is unlikely that he will return to action in 2 weeks, it may take 3 weeks.

Heinicke has been a solid fill-in for Ridder, and he has shown that he is capable of being a starter in the NFL. He is a good athlete with a strong arm, and he is also a good decision-maker. However, he has also shown a tendency to be turnover-prone, and he needs to improve his accuracy.

The Falcons have a tough remaining schedule, but they have shown that they are capable of competing with any team in the league. If they can continue to play well, they should be in the mix for a playoff spot.

What are the options if Heinicke can’t play?

Desmond Ridder is the number one option, he is healthy and ready to play. But in case Taylor and Desmond are not available for Week 12, the Atlanta Falcons have a third option named Logan Woodside to start against the New Orleans Saints.

Why Matt Ryan isn’t playing anymore with the Atlanta Falcons?

Matt Ryan was traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2022. There were a few reasons for this trade: The Falcons were rebuilding, Ryan wanted to play for a contender, The Falcons were looking for a new quarterback.

The four-time NFL MVP signed a massive extension in 2022, but after a complicated season, he is once again contemplating his future. At 39, every option seems to be on the table for Rodgers.

If he doesn’t stay, regardless of whether that’s by requesting a trade or retiring, the Packers would have a big decision to make after a long time. Jordan Love would be the obvious successor, but Taylor Heinicke admitted he’d love to play for his boyhood team.

NFL News: Taylor Heinicke wants to play for the Packers

“I want to go to the Packers because that’s a childhood dream of mine,” Heinicke said in an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.”Other than that, obviously I want to play – I want to start. If that opportunity doesn’t come up, being a backup quarterback in the NFL is probably one of the best jobs in America.”

Heinicke has every right to dream since he becomes a free agent this offseason. With Commanders head coachRon Rivera declaring Sam Howell as Washington‘s starting quarterback, it makes sense Heinicke starts looking elsewhere.

Unfortunately, his wish seems unlikely— at least this year. Rodgers could simply finish with all the speculation by deciding to continue with the Packers, and even if he leaves, Love would probably be handed the baton.

Taylor Heinicke has bounced around the league before finding a spot in theWashington Football Team. Following Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s injury in the opening game of the 2021 season, he’ll face the biggest opportunity in his careerbeing the team’sstarting quarterback for the following weeks.

The Old Dominion product has struggled to get snaps in the league as he only had two regular-season starts before taking over Fitzpatrick. Heinicke is a tale of perseverance and it’s up to him to prove if it’s one of seizing the opportunities as well.

Taylor Heinicke: Age

Born on March 15, 1993, Taylor Heinicke is 28 years old. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native has shone in Collins High School before accepting an athletic scolarship from Old Dominion, where he began his path towards the NFL.

Despite he was recognized with a number of honors for his performances, he wentundrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. That didn’t stop him from making it into the league, though, as the Minnesota Vikings signed him as an undrafted free agent.

Taylor Heinicke: Height and Weight

At 6 foot 1 in (1.85 cm) and 210 lb (95 kg), Taylor Henicike is not the prototypical NFL quarterback. He might be a bit smaller than the rest of his colleagues but, despitehe is not considered to have a strong arm, Heinicke has the chance to play regularly and prove what he’s capable of.

Taylor Heinicke: Contract

After stepping up in the 2020 playoffswhen Alex Smith got injured, Taylor Heinicke earned a two-year, $4.75 million extension. Just by lookingback at hisprevious years, we would be sure that nobody could have guessed he would be an NFL starter by now.

The Vikings waived him in 2017 after two years in which he never saw action and he lasted just a few weeks with the New England Patriots‘ practice squad. Later that year, he made his NFL debut for the Houston Texans but was immediately forced off the game with a concussion.

In 2018, Heinicke had more playing time with the Carolina Panthers and got his second start by the end of the season. Once again, another injury prevented him from finishing the game where he threw 274 yards, one touchdown and a terrible three interceptions.

After experiencing a poor stint in the XFL with the St. Louis BattleHawks, Heinicke had a pretty solid comeback in the NFL when he took over Dwayne Haskins in Week 16 of the 2020 season.

That performance earned him the starting job for the Wild Card game against the eventual Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That day, Heinicke exceeded expectations and saw him extendhis stay in Washington. Now, he’ll have another opportunity while thequestion is whetherhe is reallyup to the task.