It’s time for the Colts to bench Anthony Richardson and start Joe Flacco
Facing a must-win game against Houston, Anthony Richardson produced yet another polarizing performance in a losing effort. The 2023 No. 4 overall pick made some flashy plays as usual — showing off his athleticism and arm strength — but a series of unforced errors once again led to a loss. With Indianapolis’ playoff hopes on the verge of dying out, Shane Steichen has to consider (temporarily) handing over the reins to backup QB Joe Flacco before it’s too late.
Flacco has enough left in the tank to win games
At 39 years old, Flacco isn’t the same player he was when he won a Super Bowl in 2013. However, the 17-year veteran has demonstrated over and over again that he can still be a capable starter in the NFL. He was named Comeback Player of the Year last season after leading Cleveland to the playoffs, and looked solid earlier this year when Richardson was out with an injury.
The Baltimore legend is a consistently accurate passer who makes smart reads and avoids mistakes. Over three games in 2024, Flacco has completed 65.7% of his passes, thrown seven touchdowns to one interception, and led the Colts to a pair of wins. In stark contrast, Richardson has a league-worst 44.4% completion rate, plus seven picks in five games and change. Flacco may not have Richardson’s extraordinary physical gifts, but he’s better than his teammate in plenty of other ways.
Indianapolis can be a post-season threat, but Richardson is holding them back
The Colts may be 4-4, but this roster is more talented than their record suggests. Star running back? Check. Deep wide receiver room? Check. Elite offensive line? Check. A defense that’s looked a whole lot better in recent weeks? Check. Richardson played in three of the team's four losses and, despite an anemic Indianapolis passing offense, each defeat went down to the wire. Their outcomes could have, and probably would have, been different if Flacco was playing. For all the excitement that comes with Richardson, his turnovers, inaccuracy, and poor decisions ultimately handicap the Colts, often killing drives and putting the defense in bad positions.
Realistically, Indianapolis won’t transform into Super Bowl contenders overnight with Flacco; this team has other major flaws beyond their QB play. But, he does give them the best chance at making the playoffs this year. And if the Colts can sneak into the postseason, anything is possible in a single-elimination bracket.
Promoting Flacco doesn’t mean it’s the end of the Richardson era
The argument in favor of sticking with Richardson is that he’s the future of this team. That may be true, but it doesn’t mean he needs to start right now. When Indianapolis drafted Richardson, they knew he was going to be a project, but the rookie was still immediately thrust into the starting lineup. By switching to Flacco for the rest of the year, Steichen can finally give Richardson the time and space he needs to develop without being in the spotlight.
There’s a ton of evidence to suggest that QBs can benefit from sitting on the bench early in their career (Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers, and Aaron Rodgers all waited until Year 2, 3, or even 4 before they were named the full-time starter). The extra time allowed them to hone their raw skill sets and adjust to the big leagues. Most teams are forced to start a top draft pick because they have no other option, but the Colts can afford to be patient with Richardson because Flacco can handle QB1 duties. This approach would be a win-win for Indianapolis — they can maximize their current situation by playing Flacco now, and they can help Richardson learn how to be a true franchise QB so he’ll be ready to take over in 2025.