There’s only one rule: Don’t tap out!

The one thing a QB can’t do is give less than 100%

If there’s one lesson that every quarterback can take from the Colts benching Anthony Richardson after he “tapped out” for a breather on Sunday, it is this: You can play horrible football and keep your job, but you can’t show signs of being weak, out of shape, and unmotivated to play until your last breath and still keep your job.

There is constant talk about the Rams parting ways with Matthew Stafford by 2025 and that may be in best interest of both sides depending on how the season goes. But at least L.A. knows that they have one of the toughest quarterbacks in the NFL despite being so physical and taking so many hits and Stafford didn’t have to “win the combine” to be this good. He’s this good because he has worked hard to be this good.

Richardson was not benched for being a 44% (!) passer.

Richardson was not benched for stunting the development of Indy’s young receivers by being such a raw quarterback who struggles with accuracy and reading a defense.

Stafford, because he helped Calvin Johnson and Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua all break NFL records, knows as well as any quarterback that it is important to highlight the talent around you, not to just be “the talent”. Look at AR’s completion percentage to each receiver compared to Flacco:

• Michael Pittman has caught 63% of Joe Flacco’s passes compared to 58% (and 2 INTs) on throws by Richardson
• Josh Downs caught 79% of Flacco’s passes compared to 50% by AR
• AD Mitchell caught 43% of Flacco’s passes compared to 29% by AR
• Alec Pierce is the one reversed, catching 44% by Flacco and 57% by AR, but Flacco has targeted Pierce the least

When the Rams do pick a successor to Stafford, they need to find the quarterback who is best at being an inspiration and role model for the players around him — to make every other player better, that is the QB’s #1 goal — not someone who is just tall, strong, fast, and has a big arm. Not someone who could “tap out” and get benched basically because the entire Internet is ridiculing him and forcing Indy’s hand to make a change back to Flacco.

One of the best comments I’ve read on the situation was the question, “How did Richardson even know to tap out when it’s never been done before?” That was perhaps the only instinct he’s shown all season.

The people who read Turf Show Times have watched a lot of football in the last 50+ years.

Have you ever heard of a QUARTERBACK tapping out?