The Indianapolis Colts started Joe Flacco at quarterback in Week 5 due to Anthony Richardson missing the game due to an oblique injury. Flacco performed admirably in the role of starting quarterback but the Colts lost the game and allowed for Jacksonville to record its first win of the year.
Flacco's performance might have had people buzzing about whether it would be smart to keep him in as the starter even when Richardson returns. Head coach Shane Steichen made sure that everyone knew that he'd be sticking with Richardson once the quarterback is healthy enough to play.
Shane Steichen told reporters Anthony Richardson, when healthy, will remain Colts' starting QB.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 7, 2024
Joe Flacco, who in less than two games this season is 49/70 (70%) for 527 yards, 5 TDs and 0 INTs, will eventually go back to the bench.
Shane Steichen says Colts will stick with Anthony Richardson
Richardson was injured during the Colts' Week 4 win over Pittsburgh and Flacco came in and helped the team hold the lead and walk away with a big win. Before he had to miss time due to injury, Richardson wasn't off to a great start this year, throwing for 654 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions, which led the league entering Week 4.
Flacco, on the other hand, has already thrown for 527 yards and five touchdowns in just one and a half games. He's not the future of this organization by any means but he gives them the best chance to win right now and Richardson could learn a lot from him on the sidelines.
More Colts news
That being said, Steichen and the Colts are showing they still believe in Richardson and think he can be the long-term answer for Indianapolis. The Colts spent the fourth overall pick on Richardson in the 2023 draft hoping that he could be their next franchise quarterback.
The organization struggled to find a stable quarterback following Andrew Luck's shocking retirement in 2019 trying to slot in different veterans such as Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan before finally spending a first-round pick on Richardson last year.
Richardson showed glimpses of what made him a first-round pick last year until a shoulder injury cost him all but four games of his rookie year. He's struggled out of the gate this season but there are still glimpses of potential from him (for instance, that Week 1 rocket he threw to Alec Pierce).
We'll see if Steichen continues to stick with Richardson when he's cleared to play or if he decides to ride the hot hand and go with Flacco instead.