The latest news out of Indianapolis makes you wonder if they really have a plan. Anthony Richardson who has only made ten starts so far in the NFL will be under center once again for the Indianapolis Colts beginning with Sunday’s game against the 3-7 New York Jets, head coach Shane Steichen announced on Wednesday.
According to Steichen, it will be Richardson’s job for the remainder of the season.
39-year-old Joe Flacco was the team’s QB1 the past two weeks, which were defeats to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, but Steichen said Richardson has shown improvement in practice that warrants giving him another opportunity to take the reins.
“It’s the attention to detail in everything he does,” Steichen said. “All the little things just have to be at a higher standard. That was discussed with him two weeks ago, and he’s made strides in those areas. He’s a pro’s pro. It’s my job to get him there.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThis decision comes just 48 hours after Steichen told reporters that Flacco would remain the starter, even after throwing four ugly interceptions and losing two fumbles in two games. Despite the veteran’s struggles, Steichen, at the time, was not ready to go back to Richardson.
“You’ve gotta go through the process every single day,” Steichen said of Richardson on Monday. “And that’s where it’s at. He’s a great person, phenomenal human being. Like I said, not ever losing faith or trust in him. We’re going through a process right now, and that’s where it’s at.”
Steichen said Wednesday that Flacco’s play did not play a role in his final decision.
In six games this season, Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has struggled, and that is being kind. He has thrown for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 44.4 completion percentage.
Flacco, meanwhile, has not been able to replicate the success that he enjoyed last season with the Cleveland Browns. In his six games, he has thrown for 1,167 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions and a 65.5 completion percentage. The Colts are 2-4 in games he has played.
Going into Week 11, the Colts are 4-6 and second in the AFC South, two games behind the first-place Houston Texans and just outside the AFC playoff picture.
