In a shocking turn of events, the Indianapolis Colts have benched rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson after just 10 starts, leaving the promising young signal-caller’s future with the team in doubt. Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, now faces an uphill battle to reclaim his role as the Colts’ franchise quarterback.
A Rare Opportunity for Redemption
According to ESPN Research, no quarterback drafted in the top 10 since 2000 has lost his starting job to a benching with his original team and then permanently reclaimed that role under the same coaching staff or front office. This sobering statistic underscores the daunting challenge Richardson faces in his quest to prove he can be the Colts’ long-term answer at the game’s most important position.
However, there are some key differences in Richardson’s situation compared to other highly-drafted quarterbacks who lost their starting jobs early in their careers. At just 22 years old, Richardson remains the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL. He also had far less college experience than most top prospects, with only 13 starts at the University of Florida before entering the draft.
A Chance to Grow and Develop
Despite the benching, Colts head coach Shane Steichen insists the team is not giving up on their young quarterback. “Not giving up on Anthony by any means,” Steichen said. “He’s a young player with a ton of talent and he’ll use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.”
According to multiple sources within the organization, the Colts are viewing Richardson’s demotion as an opportunity for him to improve his game preparation and better understand the gravity of being a starting NFL quarterback. Richardson himself seems to be embracing this challenge, telling reporters he plans to “still prepare as if I am the starter” and that he’ll be ready to “take advantage” of his next opportunity whenever it comes.
A Surprising Move Leaves Locker Room Confused
The decision to bench Richardson after such a small sample size of starts caught many within the Colts’ locker room off guard. All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson expressed his surprise at the move, saying “It’s a crazy situation, and I still have a bunch of faith in AR and I know that when he gets his next opportunity that he’s going to do well.”
“I’d be lying to you if I said no.”
– Ryan Kelly, Colts center, when asked if he was frustrated by the team’s constant quarterback turnover
The Colts have been plagued by instability at the quarterback position in recent years, with a revolving door of starters since the unexpected retirement of franchise icon Andrew Luck in 2019. Richardson briefly appeared to be the long-term solution they so desperately needed, but now his future with the team is shrouded in uncertainty.
An Uncertain Path Forward
As Richardson works to improve his preparation and earn back the trust of the coaching staff, the Colts must decide if they still believe he can be their franchise quarterback of the future. According to one anonymous NFL executive, the team is likely to give Richardson another chance to win the starting job next season, but with a veteran backup in place as an insurance policy.
However, if Richardson fails to show significant improvement, the executive believes the Colts could look to trade the former top-five pick and start their search for a franchise quarterback all over again. It’s a daunting prospect for a team that has already invested so much in the talented but raw Richardson.
For now, all Richardson can do is put in the work behind the scenes and wait for his next opportunity to prove he belongs. “I’m going to still prepare as if I am the starter,” he said. “I feel like there is an opportunity for me to step back on the field, and when it does present itself, I’m going to take advantage of it.”
Only time will tell if that opportunity will come with the Colts or another team, but one thing is certain: Anthony Richardson faces a long and difficult road ahead as he fights to establish himself as a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. In a league where patience is often in short supply, especially with highly-drafted prospects, the clock is already ticking on his chance to prove the doubters wrong and secure his place as the Colts’ franchise cornerstone for years to come.
