What a disaster this past weekend has become for the Indianapolis Colts. After all of the hype during the offseason around what quarterback Anthony Richardson could be, the second-year pro has shown exactly what he is, and that's a young player with very little experience.
The biggest storyline from Week 8, for the Colts, is undoubtedly what happened in the third quarter when Richardson decided to walk off the field for a single play. No, he wasn't hurt. In fact, his explanation was rather pathetic.
Richardson expressed that he was tired and needed a breather. That's why he left the field in the crucial moment.
After the game and Richardson's confusing explanation of taking himself out, the opinions and reactions raged like wildfire.
Head coach Shane Steichen was asked about the situation as well, and had a somewhat puzzling answer to it all while leaving the door open for Richardson to continue starting. Obviously, this is a fluid situation that Steichen likely hasn't had to deal with previously, so it's new to everyone.
It's new to everyone ... and I mean everyone, players and ex-players included.
One former NFL quarterback who spent 13 seasons in the league and remained one of the most well-respected at his position throughout, Chase Daniel, no co-hosts a top NFL podcast with The Athletic's Dianna Russini. On the latest episode of Scoop City, Daniel did not hold back on his thoughts in regards to the Richardson situation.
Remember, Richardson's exact explanation of his actions after the game were as follows:
"Man, tired. I ain't gonna lie."
"Lie ... lie to the media. Do not ever say that again in your entire career," Daniel started by saying.
Anthony Richardson's explanation that he asked out due to tiredness did not sit well with @ChaseDaniel. πΌπ© ππ‘π‘.
β The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 29, 2024
"You just lost [the] respect of every football player."
More, with @DMRussini, on Scoop City.
Watch: https://t.co/0FoKgtGNLR pic.twitter.com/K9RObzgVuZ
Shane Steichen should seriously consider benching Anthony Richardson
Daniel then said exactly what every former and current player is thinking.
"You just lost the respect of every football player and every quarterback and every offensive lineman to ever have played the game," Daniel went on.
"I have never seen this in my entire life. It is inexcusable, it is inexplicable and he should be seriously thought about getting benched," he finished.
The former pro isn't wrong, at all. These actions by Richardson should be taken seriously. And, let's be honest for a moment. A potential benching shouldn't be coming solely based on these actions, alone.
Richardson embarrassed himself and the organization for what he chose to do on Sunday, but his performance, thus far on the season, has been underwhelming to say the very least. He has not been good, plain and simple.
Whether or not you want to point out some of the drops he's had from receivers, that only matters to an extent. Richardson has been inaccurate on several occasions and is clearly a boom-or-bust player just as he was said to be coming out of Florida.
The limited starting experience and youth continues to show, and this is just one more instance of proof. Daniel hits the nail on the head with his assessment, and a message should be clearly sent by the coaching staff very soon.