The Indianapolis Colts decided to bench quarterback Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco on Tuesday. Flacco will now start for the Colts during their Sunday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings.
More news: Colts HC Doubles Down on Benching Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco
The quarterback change comes after head coach Shane Steichen said Monday that the team was "evaluating everything."
The swap is also happening after Richardson exited Sunday's game early because he was tired, an unprecedented reason for a quarterback to leave in the middle of a football game.
"I was tired," Richardson said Sunday after the game. "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."
Richardson later came back in the game, but the Colts lost to the Houston Texans 23-20. Richardson finished just 10-32 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He could have had another touchdown pass on a deep throw to Adonai Mitchell, but Mitchell was unable to keep his feet in bounds.
The quarterback change is reportedly about Richardson's play on the field and does not have to do with him leaving the game because he was feeling tired.
Richardson became the second quarterback from the 2023 class to get benched in just their second season. The Carolina Panthers decided to bench No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young after Week 2 of the 2024 season.
The decision to bench Richardson is somewhat sensible in the short term. Flacco has proven to be a highly effective passer over the last two seasons and showed last year with the Cleveland Browns that he can lead a team into January football. The Colts are a pesky 4-4 team that realistically can compete for a playoff spot.
In the long term, the choice does not make a ton of sense. The Colts knew that Richardson was a raw, high-risk, high-reward prospect when they drafted him No. 4 overall in 2023. Richardson didn't gain a ton of experience at Florida but showed he had an incredibly high ceiling that wooed the Colts to take him with their top-five pick.
The Colts knew when they drafted Richardson that he would need time to develop and gain more reps in games. Richardson's rookie year was cut short because of a season-ending shoulder injury, and he already missed two games this season because of an oblique injury. Richardson has made just 10 starts — and shown multiple flashes during those appearances — but the Colts have already decided to go in another direction.
A source from the Colts said: "We are not quitting on Anthony. That will be the story but that is not the case," via Stephen Holder of ESPN.
For more on the Colts, head to Newsweek Sports.
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