Colts Bench QB Anthony Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts are benching second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco to start in their Week 9 matchup against the Vikings. The coaches met earlier this morning and decided to change quarterbacks, choosing Flacco over Richardson.

Colts planning to start QB Joe Flacco Sunday night vs. the Vikings. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/DRY9fxvVGt

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024

The benching came out two days after Richardson told reporters he came out of the game against division rival Texans for one play because he "was tired." Colts head coach Shane Steichen said yesterday that he was evaluating the team's quarterback position and stated that Richardsons request to come out of the game would not be a factor in the decision. Despite the benching, the Colts internally believe that Richardson is the franchise quarterback, and this benching will be a "growth opportunity."

The 22-year-old quarterback was drafted fourth overall by the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson was drafted before he turned 21 and remains the youngest quarterback in the NFL today. Before the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson only started 13 games out of the University of Florida.

Richardson has struggled this season, only completing 44.4% of his passes, which is 14.5% below Mason Rudolph, who has the second-lowest completion percentage in the NFL. Despite Richardson's struggles, the Colts remain in the playoff race and are also in contention for the AFC South division title, as they are two games behind the Texans. The Colts, who are now (4-4), turn to Joe Flacco, who has played solid in the four games he's seen action, throwing for 716 yards, seven touchdowns, and only one interception.

Although this news might be shocking to some Colts fans, Richardson is not the only quarterback to be benched from the 2023 draft class. Number one overall pick Byrce Young was also benched earlier this season for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. Although, Young started last week against the Broncos as Dalton got into a car crash earlier in the week.

Of Anthony Richardson's 22 incompletions yesterday, I counted 7 bad throws

Hit the receiver in the hands on 8 of those 22
Hit as he was throwing on 6
With a couple of "wtf was that route" thrown in there

Not sold on him being the future, but it's too early to say he's a bust. pic.twitter.com/Atu1dCaamq

— Eli (@degenEli) October 28, 2024

It will be interesting to see how the young quarterback handles this adversity in just his second season. Hopefully, we will see Richardson back in his starting role, but for now, the Colts are Flacco's team.