Colts bench Joe Flacco, turn back to Anthony Richardson at QB
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Stephen A.: Richardson’s two-week benching was to teach him a lesson (1:33)
Stephen A. Smith believes that the Colts were teaching Anthony Richardson a lesson by benching him for two weeks. (1:33)
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ESPN News Services
Nov 13, 2024, 11:44 AM ET
The Indianapolis Colts are going back to Anthony Richardson as their starting quarterback, starting with the game Sunday against the New York Jets, coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday.
Steichen said Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, would remain the starter for the rest of the season.
The switch comes two days after Steichen had said veteran Joe Flacco would start the game at MetLife Stadium.
Flacco has started the Colts’ past two games in place of Richardson, and Indianapolis has lost both. Flacco, 39, committed six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumbles) in the losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.
The Colts (4-6) benched Richardson, 22, in late October following a game against the Houston Texans where he asked to come out of the game for one play because, as he later told reporters, he “was tired.”
Steichen said that while he talked to owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, ultimately it was his decision to return Richardson to the starting role.
“We made it very clear to him that he’s our starting quarterback going forward.”
Steichen also said he was pleased with what he saw from Richardson over the last two weeks.
“It’s the attention to detail in everything he does,” Steichen said. “It’s got to be a higher standard. Over the last two weeks, he’s made strides in those areas.”
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
