The Indianapolis Colts’ decision to bench Anthony Richardson and start Joe Flacco at quarterback is not a temporary one, coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday.
“Joe will be our quarterback going forward,” he said. “Tough decision but one I thought was in the best interest of our football team. Feel like Joe gives us the best chance to win right now.”
The Colts are currently 4-4 after their Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans. But with nine games to go, Indianapolis has much to play for.
“I’m just looking where we’re at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left, and feel that Joe gives us the best chance going forward,” Steichen said.
Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had completed just 44.4 percent of his passes and thrown for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his six starts this season. The second-year playcaller has also rushed for 242 yards and a touchdown on the ground leading Indianapolis to a 3-3 record as a starter this year.
Flacco is 1-1 in his two starts but helped the Colts earn a victory in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers after coming on in relief of an injured Richardson.
Steichen said the plan is for Richardson to serve as the Colts’ backup beginning with the team’s Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
He added that the team is not giving up on Richardson, who he called “a young player with a ton of talent.” Steichen also said it was “tough” delivering the news to Richardson.
“I mean, any time you get that news, it’s tough. To not be the starter anymore, it’s tough,” Steichen said. “But you know what, I think he’s going to handle it the right way going forward, be a professional about it, grind, get ready, prepare like you’re the starter, because, shoot, he’s still just one play away.”
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(Photo Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
