The Colts organization has failed Anthony Richardson

The normal Monday presser for Shane Steichen gave us more insight than usual. When asked if they were committed to Anthony Richardson for Week 9, Steichen said they were “evaluating everything.” Steichen is known for his “coach speak,” and most of the fans took it as such. Tuesday painted a different as it was leaked by sources that the organization has decided to bench Anthony Richardson and start Joe Flacco.

“Generational Talent”

This was the phrase that the franchise used to describe Anthony Richardson. A bold phrase at the time, and looking at it now makes you wonder what could have been. He had it all. The size, speed, confidence, poise, and freak athleticism that all NFL scouts look for in a top 5 prospect. This staff used the “alien traits” when scouting him. He was unlike any athlete this position had ever seen, and drew comparisons to Bills QB Josh Allen.

His first season was cut short with a concussion and eventual shoulder injury that kept him on the sidelines for nearly the entire season. This was his opportunity to slowly learn and grow, getting those “mental reps,” as they call them. Obviously, his rehab was priority one, but he never had a setback, and showed up to all the offseason workouts ready to roll.

The season so far has not been kind Richardson, and the negative noise has continued to grow. The stats show he has regressed, and regressed quickly. His completion percentage is under 50 percent now, and he has thrown seven interceptions. While the tape looks better than his box score, it didn't help that he took himself out the game last weekend. He later claimed he was simply "tired" and needed a break. It only fanned the flames of doubt as to whether he can be a reliable franchise quarterback.

Current NFL Landscape Hurts The Young Quarterbacks

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell made his feelings know on a recent Rich Eisen Show appearance about the failure of organizations in the development of young quarterbacks.

"I just think as a whole, there's not enough emphasis put on the organization's role in the development of the position, meaning I believe that organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations," O'Connell said.

He went on to mention that just because they are unsuccessful now does not mean they will stay that way. While many have gone one to success (Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith), others have not (Bryce Young, Trey Lance). The comments show that the NFL is on a “win now” belief, and this mindset trumps all when the times get difficult. In a results-driven business, winning cures all, and this benching shows us they think they have a better chance of winning with Joe Flacco... even at the cost of the future of this franchise.

Giving Blame and What’s Next

The blame game will be the talk amongst the media this week. You can look to ownership. Did Jim Irsay call for it because he wants to win now? Did Chris Ballard call for it because he knows this team is close and they want instant gratification of his so-far flawed process? Did the coaching staff push for it even after being Richardson's most vocal defender?

Those who read my work know my opinion of Chris Ballard has not been great, and many of you know I am one of Shane Steichen’s biggest cheerleaders.  Has there been blame on both? Absolutely. Steichen has had some questions on his play calls and overall decision-making with Richardson. The overall drops and execution have been spotty as well. Other writers have mentioned that if the Colts were to move on from Shane Steichen, that he would be one of the top candidates next season. They are right, and I think if the staff can show that they can win with Flacco this season, his job will be secure.

As for Ballard, this plan he continues to act on is -- like Richardson -- regressing. He has never recovered from the retirement of Andrew Luck. He has never shown accountability for his mistakes until this last off season. He continues to push a belief and agenda that is not working. He felt he was getting the best player in the draft, and he needed time to develop, so now they decided to bench him... which goes against everything he preached.

At this point, how can we trust that this decision that Ballard has a say in will be right when his current plan has brought this franchise a 58-64 record with ZERO division titles? We are 10 games into Richardson's career, and you have already given up on him. That’s barely half a season, and now there is no going back on this. If it did not work the first time, how do you sell a fanbase that it will work the second time around? The simplest answer is that you cannot. Not with Chris Ballard in the driver’s seat and with no plan at quarterback. They will have trouble getting new players in the building, let alone a new franchise quarterback next season.

I will continue to root for Anthony Richardson, and I hope we see him succeed again in a Colts uniform. I hope to be proven wrong (and I truly mean that), but without changes at the top, the continued mismanagement by this organization of this football team will keep this team buried in mediocrity.