Stampede Blue
It looks like the surprising recent two-game benching of 2nd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson was head coach Shane Steichen’s call.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, reinserted Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson’s recent benching was head coach Shane Steichen’s call—and not team owner Jim Irsay’s, as had been initially speculated by at least some fans:
“This time, sources say, Irsay was not involved at all in the decision to go back to Richardson,” writes Rapoport. “He was consulted, but Steichen informed him of the decision and Irsay did not attempt to sway him in either direction.”
“While the original plan was for Flacco to start the rest of the year, the Colts never planned to give up on Richardson. That is why each team that called about potentially trading for him was shot down quickly, according to league and team sources.”
“The Colts believed Flacco would play well and they would challenge for a playoff spot, and Richardson would learn behind the scenes. Instead, Indy went 0-2 to drop to 4-6 on the season as Flacco turned the ball over too much, and it was back to Richardson.”
“That said, in the words of one source, the benching of Richardson was an act that ‘needed to be done’ for Richardson’s long-term development.”
It’s worth noting that Steichen indicated to the media earliter this week that he did consult with the franchise’s key decision-makers, including Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, regarding the recent benching. However, the controversial decision regarding the handing of their 2023 4th overall pick ultimately rested with him as head coach.
It also reiterates two key points.
One, that Richardson’s demotion was largely not performance based, but rather the Colts wanted to provide him a ‘wake up call’ that in order to be the organization’s QB1 going forward that more is expected and required of him from a preparation and attention-to-detail standpoint. The Colts want Richardson to be the ‘CEO of the clubhouse,’ and leadership within that locker room starts with him as the ‘tone-setter,’ playing the team’s most important position, with a trickle down effect to the rest of his teammates.
For what it’s worth, Steichen indicated that Richardson’s preparation was ‘phenomenal’ this week ahead of the New York Jets—as it looks like the team’s imposed ‘learning lesson’ has made an initial impact on the reinserted 2nd-year starting quarterback.
Two, the Colts felt that veteran Joe Flacco could keep them afloat and provide a late season spark to make an AFC playoff push down the stretch—similarly to how he fared last season as the Cleveland Browns replacement starter, leading them to a surprise playoff berth.
Flacco played well in relief of Richardson during limited action because of injuries earlier in the season; however, he really struggled over the past two starts—and presumably forced Steichen’s hand to prematurely return to Richardson, maybe a little earlier than they had hoped for and anticipated. [**The initial expectation was that Flacco would start for...
