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Stephen Holder, ESPN
The Indianapolis Colts are benching Anthony Richardson and turning to Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter.
Officials told Fowler and Schefter that the Colts’ coaching staff met Tuesday morning and ultimately decided on a quarterback change, choosing Flacco over the struggling Richardson. .
The benching came two days after Richardson asked to miss Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans for one play because, as he later told reporters, he was “tired.”
Colts coach Shane Steichen said Monday that he is evaluating the team’s quarterback situation, adding that Richardson’s request to leave the game will not be a factor in his decision.
After Sunday’s game, Richardson said he tapped Steichen on the helmet as he left the game and told Steichen, “I need a break there.”
Richardson was 10-of-32 for 175 yards against Houston on Sunday. According to ESPN Research, last year’s No. 4 overall draft pick has a 44.4% complete game percentage this season, the fifth-worst mark in the first six games of a season for a player since 2000.
Steichen did not defend Richardson’s decision to walk away from the game, saying he spoke privately with the second-year quarterback on Monday, saying, “You can’t throw yourself away. has to grow from there,” it added. “
The Colts will be adding Ryan Kelly, the longest-tenured player on the current roster, but Richardson said, “We know that’s not the standard that he needs to live up to, and that the rest of the team… I’m letting him keep it up.”
The Colts (4-4) will rely on Flacco, 39, who threw for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception in parts of three games in place of Richardson, who was injured earlier this season.
Richardson is the second QB to be benched this season after being selected in the first round of last year’s draft. The Carolina Panthers benched No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young last month in place of veteran Andy Dalton.
