When the Indianapolis Colts used their 2023 No. 4 overall pick on Anthony Richardson, the belief was that he'd be able to get the organization on the right track. The former Florida Gators star put on a show during offseason workouts, leading to him skyrocketing up draft boards.
However, nothing has gone right for him since. Richardson has been injured quite a bit and even when healthy, he has looked rough. Because of this, the Colts have made a massive decision - they're benching the former first-round selection.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Richardson won't be starting for Indy's next game. Instead, the offense is being handed to veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who has looked much better with the ball in his hands over the former Gators' playmaker.
A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs. pic.twitter.com/uqANJwOwr4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2024
Former Colts first-round pick Anthony Richardson has been benched in favor of Joe Flacco
In the recent loss to the Texans, Richardson was far too inconsistent throwing the ball, completing just 10-of-32 pass attempts for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Those kinds of stats are never going to cut it, especially at this point in the season.
What made things even worse for Richardson is that at one point in the action, he took himself out of the game and Colts fans everywhere were worried that he suffered another injury. As he made his way to the sidelines, there was huge concern that maybe something serious was going on. That wasn't the case, however.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on taking himself out of the game in the 3rd quarter: “Tired, I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there that I did ... So, I just told Shane (Steichen) I needed a break right there.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2024
(🎥 @WISHNews8)pic.twitter.com/5DiUalDXDU
Richardson was tired? This is totally unacceptable. What kind of message does it send to the rest of the team too when your franchise signal-caller needs a break in the third quarter because he's gassed? Richardson knew he made a big mistake with his comment.
He tried cleaning things up with his teammates, but it was too little, too late. Flacco is now getting ready to start against the Vikings, while Richardson will have a clipboard in his hands. The future seemed bright for him coming out of college, but it's looking like he'll be remembered in Indy as being a first-round bust.