INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in his NFL career, Anthony Richardson’s status as the starting quarterback is uncertain, despite being healthy.
Head coach Shane Steichen stated on Monday that the Colts are “evaluating everything” regarding the decision for their starting quarterback in the upcoming game against the Vikings.
When asked specifically if Richardson would start in Week 9, Steichen replied, “We are evaluating everything.” He later emphasized that the team as a whole needs improvement, noting, “We’re sitting at .500, and there are a lot of areas we can be better in—not just at quarterback. It’s the bigger picture, looking at our team, our roster, our personnel, and our scheme.”
This is the first time Steichen hasn’t committed to starting a healthy Richardson.
Steichen also confirmed he’ll continue to call plays. He added that they’re reviewing every aspect of the game, including simplifying plays for Richardson, aiming to get the ball out of his hands faster to avoid prolonged drop-backs.
Richardson’s stats in 2024 are concerning, with a 44.4 percent completion rate, one of the league’s highest interception rates, a low yards-per-attempt ranking (27th), and the lowest quarterback rating.
Steichen, along with Colts leadership Chris Ballard and Jim Irsay, has previously been committed to Richardson gaining experience on the field rather than from the sidelines, emphasizing that learning through playing is crucial.
Richardson’s start last Sunday was only his 10th in his two-year career. Steichen remarked, “There are certain players you throw in early, and some who benefit from watching. Playing brings experience, but there’s also value in observing. These are ongoing conversations within NFL teams.”
Coach Shane Steichen admitted that the idea of benching quarterback Anthony Richardson at halftime on Sunday didn’t cross his mind, despite Richardson’s 2-for-15 completion rate in the first half. Richardson did improve in the second half, completing 8 of 17 passes and leading two scoring drives in his five series.
Steichen also clarified that Richardson’s decision to remove himself for one play during the Texans game, citing fatigue, doesn’t influence the uncertainty around his performance. “We discussed it this morning in the quarterback room, and that will remain private,” Steichen said of Richardson’s choice to step out for a play. “In situations like those, he knows it’s not something he can do; it’s a learning experience, and he needs to grow from it.”
During the Texans game, Richardson signaled he needed a break, a rare move for an NFL quarterback. On Monday, team captain Ryan Kelly addressed Richardson’s decision, stating, “We talked about it, and he knows that’s not the standard he needs to meet, or that the team expects. I’ll leave it at that, but he’ll probably face some criticism for it, which is fair. It’s not a good look, but he plays hard for his team.” Kelly added that while the offense struggled at times, Richardson gave everything on the field and just needs to learn from the experience.
Following Richardson’s departure, Joe Flacco stepped in for a play, handing off to Taylor, which led to Matt Gay’s late third-quarter field goal. In the grand scheme of the game, Richardson’s missed 3rd-and-goal handoff to Taylor was minor, but it’s uncommon to see a quarterback sub out for stamina, even those with a running style.
Despite the optics, Richardson’s play throughout the season has raised new questions for the Colts. Steichen is known for strategic thinking, so it remains to be seen if this situation will lead to a midseason shift to the 39-year-old Flacco in hopes of sparking a turnaround.
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