The Indianapolis Colts have seen enough of Anthony Richardson. Last year’s No. 4 overall pick posted another dismal outing in Week 8, completing just 10 of 32 attempts in a 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans.
Ahead of their Week 9 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, the Colts formally benched Richardson and turned to veteran backup Joe Flacco.
Colts Bench Anthony Richardson, Will Start Joe Flacco in Week 9
Pro Football Network ranks Flacco as the NFL’s best backup quarterback, so it’s not as if Colts head coach Shane Steichen didn’t have another viable option on the roster. When asked on Monday whether Richardson will start under center when Indianapolis faces the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 9, Steichen was initially non-committal.
“We are evaluating everything,” Steichen said.
When pressed, Steichen added, “Right now, today, yes, he is (the starter).” However, ESPN’s Stephen Holder noted that the Colts’ head coach is “impossible to read,” so it remained unclear whether Richardson or Flacco would start in Week 9.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report Indianapolis’ switch to Flacco.
Richardson’s poor statistical results were one thing. But the second-year quarterback also removed himself for a play after back-to-back scrambles in Week 8, a no-no for NFL signal-callers.
“I was tired,” Richardson said Sunday. “I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there. I didn’t think I was going to be able to go that next play.”
Steichen did not defend Richardson’s actions on Monday. Veteran Colts center Ryan Kelly said he discussed Richardson’s action with the 22-year-old signal-caller.
“I think he knows it’s not the standard that he needs to play up to and the rest of the team holds him to,” Kelly said. “And I’ll kind of leave the conversation that we had at that. I’m sure he’s going to take the criticism for that, rightfully so. I mean, it’s a tough, tough look. But he’s out there giving it all for his team, and it’s not always pretty sometimes.”
Steichen later confirmed that Flacco will be the Colts’ starter “moving forward,” indicating that this is not a single-game benching for Richardson.
“It was a tough decision but one I felt that is in the best interest of our football team,” Steichen said. I feel that Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, I’m not giving up on Anthony by any means. I’m really not. He’s a young player with a ton of talent. And he will use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.”
Shane Steichen opening statement: pic.twitter.com/XGbFrKVx7d
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) October 30, 2024
Asked if Indy plans to start Richardson again this season, Steichen was non-committal.
“I can’t predict the future, but, I mean, that would be great. We’ll see.”
What the Numbers Say About Richardson vs. Flacco
The Colts’ choice between Richardson and Flacco is about more than Week 9. When Indianapolis selected Richardson near the top of the 2023 NFL Draft, the team knew he was relatively raw coming out of the University of Florida and would need time to develop in the NFL.
Richardson’s progression timeline was only extended after he missed most of his rookie campaign due to injury. Even if the Colts didn’t think he would be quite this unrefined as a passer, his early struggles from the pocket can’t be a complete surprise.
And yet, Indy is still involved in the playoff race in a watered-down AFC. While PFN’s Playoff Predictor only gives the Colts a 14.3% chance of making the postseason, they’re just a game back in the AFC Wild Card race.
From an optics perspective, it could’ve been challenging for Steichen to keep running Richardson out there while Indianapolis is still alive for the playoffs — especially given the disparity in results between Flacco and the younger quarterback.
.@LukeKuechly on Anthony Richardson subbing himself out 👀🔊
"I saw a guy in Carolina do this (scramble) all the time… he wore no. 1 and played qb… and he would just get up, he'd walk back to the huddle… go back in and play the next play."@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/g2iVL3ZY1D
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 28, 2024
Richardson has an F grade in PFN’s QB+ system. Only Deshaun Watson and Bryce Young have been worse this season. Richardson is on pace to post the seventh-lowest score in PFN’s quarterback database, which dates back to 2019.
Week 8 represented Richardson’s nadir. He earned a D- grade for his performance against the Texans on Sunday, the lowest score among all qualified quarterbacks in Week 8 and the worst mark of his career.
Richardson completed just 20 of 56 attempts (36%) over the past two games. Since 2000, only four other quarterbacks have completed 36% or fewer of their passes across a two-game stretch. He’s the first to do it since 2009.
Richardson’s best grade of the season came in Week 1, when he posted a B- in the Colts’ first game against the Texans. He’s been at a C+ or worse in every other start.
Meanwhile, a C+ has been Flacco’s floor. He earned that grade against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6 but brought home Bs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5.
The Colts have managed positive EPA per play on offense in four of eight games. Flacco played the majority of Indy’s offensive snaps in three of those contests.
Steichen had to weigh Richardson’s maturation process against the fact that Flacco is obviously the superior QB right now. But based purely on statistical results, Indianapolis’ choice was clear.