Coach says going Flacco instead of Richardson will help Colts win.

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts manager Shane Steichen said the decision to bench Anthony Richardson was his and that veteran Joe Flacco “gives us the best chance to win right now.” He said that he was driven to do so by his belief that

Steichen has started 10 career games (six in 2024) on Wednesday and defended his decision to replace Richardson, the No. 4 pick in 2023, while his team is 4-4. . When asked if he struggled with the future implications of this decision and the team’s current reality, Steichen said he had a hard time getting over it all.

“It’s difficult,” he said. “But winning football games is my duty to the 53 people in this organization, and right now I’m focused on the present, which is winning football games. When we have to reach the future, we It will reach the future.”

Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard and owner Jim Irsay each said after Richardson was drafted that playing and gaining valuable experience was a fast track to his development. . He joins Mitch Trubisky (2017 No. 2) in arriving in Indianapolis with the fewest starts (13) of any first-round quarterback.

“I know I said that,” Steichen said. “Things change. So right now I’m just quietly looking at the veterans who have been doing it at a high level for a long time and think I can grow like that too.”

Steichen reiterated that Richardson’s decision to tap out on one play during Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans was not a factor in the personnel decision.

“That wasn’t the case,” Steichen said. “He knows he can’t do that in that situation. That’s part of the growth and development process that we go through. And I think, again. [Flacco] Now gives us the best chance for the future. ”

The 22-year-old Richardson has a 44.4% completion percentage this season, the fifth-worst mark in a player’s first six games since 2000, according to ESPN Research.

Flacco, 39, replaced the injured Richardson earlier this season and passed for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception in parts of three games in which the Colts led 2-1.