In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts have made the bold decision to bench rookie quarterback sensation Anthony Richardson in favor of seasoned veteran Joe Flacco. The move comes as the 4-4 Colts find themselves in the thick of a heated AFC playoff race at the halfway point of the 2024 season.
Steichen’s Controversial Call
Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who is in his first full season at the helm in Indianapolis, says the decision to turn to the 39-year-old Flacco was his alone and was driven by his belief that the former Super Bowl MVP “gives us the best chance to win right now.” Steichen acknowledged the difficulty of the call, telling reporters, “It’s my obligation to the 53 guys in this organization to win football games, and right now, I’m focused on the present: winning football games. We’ll get to the future when we have to get to the future.”
The decision is a surprising reversal from the Colts’ stated plan upon drafting Richardson with the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. At that time, Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard, and owner Jim Irsay all emphasized that getting the ultra-talented but raw Richardson on the field to gain experience was the fastest path to his development. Richardson arrived in the NFL with just 13 college starts under his belt, tied with Mitchell Trubisky for the fewest of any first-round quarterback in the modern era.
Richardson’s Rookie Struggles
While flashing the tantalizing physical tools that made him such a coveted prospect, the 22-year-old Richardson has endured typical rookie growing pains in his first six starts this season. He has completed just 44.4% of his passes, the 5th-lowest rate for a quarterback in his first six games since 2000. Richardson briefly exited last week’s loss to the Texans, a move Steichen insists did not factor into the QB change.
“He knows he can’t do that in that situation. That’s part of the growth and the development process that we go through. And again, I think [Flacco] gives us the best chance right now going forward.”
– Shane Steichen
Flacco’s Veteran Presence
Flacco, now in his 16th NFL season, has been effective in a relief role for the Colts this year. In parts of three games filling in for an injured Richardson, the veteran completed 64% of his passes for 716 yards, 7 touchdowns and just 1 interception as Indianapolis went 2-1 in those contests. Flacco’s steady hand and experience could be just what the Colts need to navigate a tightly bunched AFC playoff picture.
Still, the optics of benching the #4 overall pick and the quarterback of the future after just 10 NFL starts is sure to raise eyebrows both inside and outside the Colts organization. While Steichen may be prioritizing the urgency of the moment, the long-term implications for Richardson’s development and confidence cannot be ignored.
The Road Ahead
As the Colts prepare for a crucial second-half stretch that will ultimately define their 2024 season, all eyes will be on the interplay between the youthful, electrifying potential of Anthony Richardson and the steadying, experienced presence of Joe Flacco. How Steichen and the Colts brass navigate this delicate quarterback situation could chart the course not just for this season, but for the critical years ahead as they look to return to AFC contention.
For now though, it’s Flacco’s show in Indianapolis. The Colts are betting that the wily veteran can recapture some of his old postseason magic and help lift them back to the playoffs. If he succeeds, Richardson may find himself watching and learning from the sideline for far longer than he or anyone anticipated. Such is life in the win-now pressure cooker of the NFL.
