What to make of the Colts benching Anthony Richardson?

By Levi Coovert November 03, 2024 00:29

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts (4-4) announced this week that they will be benching 22-year old Quarterback Anthony Richardson ahead of their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings (5-2), in favor of the veteran Joe Flacco. What should fans make of this sudden and unexpected QB change?

Joe Flacco is the better passer

Although Anthony Richardson can sure run the ball, Joe Flacco is a much better passer at this stage in their respective careers. Richardson's completion percentage of 44.4% is dead last among qualified passers, more than 20 points lower than Flacco's 65.7% rate that he accumulated during the two-and-a-half games he has played this season.

Richardson has a similarly horrendus passer rating, sitting at 57.2, also the worst of all qualified QBs. Flacco's passer rating 102.2

Perhaps the biggest difference, however, is their ability to score. Joe Flacco has thrown seven touchdown passes compared to one interception in three games. Richardson, meanwhile, has thrown four touchdown passes and seven interceptions in five games. Richardson has also rushed for a touchdown and lost two fumbles, giving him 5 total TDs and 9 total turnovers. The difference is massive.

Richardson lost the locker room

Critics of the benching have pointed out that other great QB's (Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa, Sam Bradford, Eli Manning, Jordan Love, ect...) have had slow starts to their careers before eventually picking it up and becoming stars. Some fans believe the Colts should have committed to the player they picked fourth overall in 2023, instead of turning to a veteran with no real future in the league.

However, Richardson's fate may not be only because of his stats. In the third quarter of the Colts' 23-20 loss last Sunday to the Texans, Richardson tapped out of a drive on a third-and-long play. After the game, he admitted he left the game because he was "tired."

That comment may not have sit well with his teammates. Insiders believe Richardson has lost the locker room in Indianapolis, which likely contributed to his benching.

The Colts want to win now

The Colts are a talented team. Despite Richardson's struggles, they are 4-4 and believe they have the talent to compete for an AFC playoff spot. They lost by two points and three points in their two matches with the rival Texans, so the gap is clearly not far.

There are 52 men on the team, not to mention coaches, staff, and management. They cannot afford to waste an entire season trying to develop Richardson, when they believe they can win now.

Imagine being a 32-year-old lineman tasked with protecting Richardson on every play. How would you feel if he left the game because he was "tired?" Would you be more or less excited to protect him on the next drive, the next game, knowing that not only is he holding the team back, but he is actively struggling to stay energized during the game.

This isn't the end for Richardson

Anthony Richardson is only 22 years old. It is very likely he will get a second chance to start. In a league where Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Jimmy Garoppolo, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Derek Carr, Geno Smith, Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Teddy Bridgewater, Tyrod Taylor, Case Keenum, Ryan Tannehill, and so many others have been given second chances and made the most of them, it is very likely Richardson will get another chance to start in this league.

Perhaps sitting and learning is what's best for him. Look at guys like Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, and Patrick Mahomes. None of them started until the end of their first season (or in Love's case, his fourth season). They all benefited from learning, so perhaps Richardson will do the same.

Or perhaps his fate will turn out similar to Trey Lance, another high first-round pick who didn't play much in college. Lance has yet to get a second chance and was traded by the team that initially drafted him. Could this be a warning sign for teams not to draft QB's with only a year of experience in the first round? Perhaps.

Takeaway

The Colts are a better team with Flacco than they were with Richardson, and this move makes them real playoff contenders. Richardson will surely get another chance, and this might work out for everyone long term.