The Indianapolis Colts are making a quarterback change after a tough divisional loss. The Colts are benching quarterback Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco will be starting in his place, according to sources that spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler.
The Indianapolis Colts are benching 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson for former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.
In Indianapolis’ 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans, Richardson only completed ten of his 32 pass attempts for 175 yards and a touchdown. However, the most surprising part of the game came when Richardson missed a late-third-quarter play while his team was down two scores because he was “tired.”
“I was tired,” Richardson said in a post-game press conference. “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, so I just told [Colts head coach] Shane [Steichen] I just needed a break right there.”
Just two days after his comments, The Colts benched Richardson for Flacco.
Anthony Richardson looks foolish
This is something that we have never seen before as football fans. Can you say you have ever seen a quarterback VOLUNTARILY sub himself out of a football game at ANY level because he was tired?
There comes a certain level of accountability and responsibility attached to being a starting quarterback. That is as true for the fourth overall draft pick as it is for the 262nd pick. To take yourself out of a football game because you’re “tired” is inexcusable and a choice that shows Anthony Richardson is not committed to winning or making the Colts a competitive franchise.
On a recent episode of FS1’s The Facility, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel perfectly summarized the problem with Richardson’s decision.
“He is the Quarterback! Not only is he the quarterback… He is supposed to be the leader of that franchise. He’s supposed to set the direction of that franchise,” Daniel said. “You know what he did on third and goal? He tapped out… Go get in better shape! I would be crawling to the huddle if I could. So no, I’m not giving this guy grace because people see that.”
Richardson clearly has a character issue. He can be forgiven for having the lowest completion percentage of all starting quarterbacks in the NFL. But taking yourself out of a game because you’re “tired” is indefensible.
This was a necessary move for the Colts
Though an incredibly tough choice, this was the right decision by Indy and a huge positive for the Colts’ coaching staff. Many lesser teams in the NFL would ride it out with Richardson because he was drafted fourth overall just a year ago. But, those organizations are loser franchises. Instead, the Colts sent a message to players and fans that tells everybody, “We care about winning.” This is a move that winning franchises make.
Colts fans should be thrilled and applaud their team’s leadership. They made a difficult decision that will ultimately make the team much better because they’ll be going from a player with a 57.2 quarterback rating to one with a quarterback rating of 102.2, good for ninth in the NFL.
The Colts just showed the NFL that they will not settle for mediocrity because of the draft capital they invested in a player. This is a huge moment for a franchise that has not made the playoffs since 2020. If you cheer for the Colts, you should be pleased with this decision. You should also get used to the idea of Anthony Richardson not being the long-term quarterback of your team.