Not long after Colts head coach Shane Steichen left the door open to a quarterback change, the team is indeed taking that route. Joe Flacco will get the nod over Anthony Richardson in Week 9, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler. 
Flacco has already made four appearances and a pair of starts this season, but this will mark the first time in which he sees action while Richardson is healthy. The latter has struggled with accuracy issues during the 2024 season, one in which expectations were high for a notable step forward. Richardson also drew criticism for his decision to pull himself from the game in Week 8, something which was addressed by the team yesterday.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Steichen said Richardson temporarily remained atop the QB depth chart while adding an evaluation would be needed before naming a starter for the next contest. That process has now taken place, with Flacco getting the nod. The 39-year-old will take over on offense as the 4-4 Colts look to remain in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Flacco’s NFL future was very much in doubt until the midway point of last season, when he took a depth role with the Browns. In short order, he found himself in place as Cleveland’s starter and helped guide the team to the postseason. The former Super Bowl MVP preferred to remain in place, but the team looked elsewhere for depth options under center. With Gardner Minshew pricing himself out of Indy, the Colts became the only team to make Flacco an offer.
Whereas Richardson has struggled to find consistent accuracy in 2024, Flacco has managed a completion percentage of 65.7% while throwing seven touchdowns (against just one interception). Avoiding turnovers – something which was an issue with Cleveland last year – will be key moving forward as the Colts’ offense looks for stability. Of course, Flacco does not offer Richardson’s rushing upside, but the return of running back Jonathan Taylor should help compensate for that.
Selected fourth overall last year, Richardson was understood to be a long-term developmental project after a college career which did not include many starts. Injuries limited the Florida product to just six games during his rookie campaign, and an oblique ailment cost him time this year. In all, Richardson has just 10 regular season starts to his name. After committing to a trial-by-fire approach with the 22-year-old, Steichen hinted the Colts may change their philosophy moving forward. That has certainly proven to be the case, and he will now be sidelined as Flacco (a pending free agent) takes over.
Just let Flacco play the rest of the way. If you want to win games play Flacco, if you want to attempt to develop your young QB play AR.
AFC Conference is wide open, Colts can make the 7th seed with Joey Flacco behind center.
Richardson is terrible. The NFL isn’t a “development” league. People pay big money for these tickets, skyboxes, and personal seat licenses. Who wants to watch terrible QB play when you’re fighting for the division?
You say that but Mahomes, sat his first year to develop, Rodgers and Love both sat for 3 years to develop. Worked out pretty well for them.
Richardson was never ready to begin with. Only 13 college games and like half were against peewee schools. I think Richardson could become a decent QB but he’ll need to sit and develop his accuracy and footwork while learning how to read coverage
And Josh Allen played, but wasn’t good for the first while.
Josh Allen’s first-year play was due to Nathan Peterson’s poor performance, not by design. That said, he ripped off a 57-yard completion to Zay Jones, and his performance, while shaky to start, showed improvement with every game. Richardson hasn’t shown growth
If you’re going to judge promise by one amazing throw, Richardson’s bomb to Pierce was incredible.
Except JA continued to improve and by season 2 was one of the top QBs. Richardson is heading the wrong direction…even with deeply experienced mentors on his sideline (Josh didn’t have that luxury)
Allen broke out year three, not two.
He improved, and the Bills made the playoffs in his second year. Yes, he took an even bigger leap in year three.
Like Allen, Flacco also started his rookie year due to injuries to others (Boller and McNair). He was alright and the Ravens made the playoffs. If I remember right, they had at least one post season win that season with Joe at the helm.
Throughout his time as a Raven, he showed up in the playoffs. Grateful. Last year or 2 in Baltimore, I thought injuries (back and knee I believe) did him in.
Your memory might be a little rusty
Cause Josh Allen’s first two years weren’t anything to write home about in 2018 and 2019. He struggled mightily completing less than 60% both years.
Wasn’t until they traded for Diggs and made improvements along the oline that he began to grow as a QB. They also tailored the offense to his strengths as a mobile QB. More out of the pocket plays. As he developed as a passer they slowly began to run a more balanced offense but his 3rd and 4th year his mobility was put to use.
They have the pieces
Pittman Jr
Pierce
downs
Taylor
Oline
I just don’t see an offense that fits Richardson strengths currently. He’s not a pocket passer yet. He needs to move and throw on the run 5-10 yard shots towards side lines. He needs crossers. We should be seeing a lot of trips right or trips left and one dude crossing to give him that safety throw. And I don’t see pre snap movement much to identify zone man.
Sorry, but Richardson isnt Mahomes, Rodgers, Love or Allen. He will take a longer time to develop.
Exactly we didn’t need to watch them suck for years they sat on the bench for a little before getting the keys. What the Colts are finally realizing
Well this is very stylish
I remember a time when Flacco was the top paid QB and despised by the majority of fans who claimed he only looked good because of the Ravens defense. Now he’s become a fan darling 🙂
I mean, yeah, he’s elite.
Flacco has also improved his decision-making on the field and seemingly his personal annd leadership approach off of it. I really respect how he’s handled the last few seasons, where he was buried on the benches of bad teams, but stayed ready to play and to help the QBs ahead of him. And his play for the Browns last season was often fantastic, especially when you compare it to what they usually look like on offense (this past Sunday aside).
Totally agree with you. I have never been a fan of Flacco, but the Colts aren’t a bad team and he gives them a much better chance to win. So even though I don’t really like him as a QB…I can’t deny that I’ve been converted for this year. Unfortunately, Richardson seems to be going backward
It’s speaks volumes a fourth overall pick is being benched for a 15 year plus veteran. This might be writing on the wall for Richardson
Lol it is not the writing on the wall he has only played 10 games. Probably just needs to sit behind someone for a little. Love sat for years
Yeah but this is usually how it starts. Ask zach Wilson
If you watch any of his games … his accuracy is so bad, I’m often reminded of “The Wild Thing” from Major League when he was pitching without his glasses on.
Forget his poor play, if you can. Richardson is never going to win back that locker room.
It’s one thing when a CB takes off a play or two, but another when it’s your QB. What an idiot (for saying it).
I’ve heard it said that Fields won over the locker room in Steelers land yet it’s Wilson that is now at the QB controls. Perhaps it’s more important to impress coaches than teammates.
Reportedly both Wilson and Fields have won over the locker room, and also are 100% supportive of one another. Wilson seems to be the more outspoken of the two, while Fields seems to prefer pulling guys aside individually and being more behind the scenes. Both neither seems to be putting on any sort of act. And according to an article I read a few days ago on a Steeler site, both say that Tomlin has been completely transparent with each of them through the whole crazy process.
I’ve been really impressed with all 3 of them, quite frankly.
Flacco vs. Darnold, a pair of ex-Jet QBs facing each other on Sunday Night Football. Ain’t that swell!
Both are better than Rodgers to put icing on the cake.
Is this really a surprise? This dude had 13 college games and they sign him 4th overall. Biggest over-hyped QB move possible. He might be athletic, but if being athletic was the key to being a good quarterback, filling the position wouldn’t be that difficult.
The problem is too once you’re in the league you’re going 100mph. You can’t do it over. You can’t get more training before-hand. Games played and accuracy numbers matter coming out of college. Richardson’s time has come and gone, no matter how it’s sugar-coated.
To be honest, Flacco took the Ravens fans for granted after getting paid but after losing his job to Jackson, he has refocused and used his arm and experience to his advantage now. Maybe with more time and patience, he could have succeeded in Denver but the expectations to succeed were too much at the time. Richardson needs to watch and learn his abilities from the pocket. The Colts receivers have to be salivating now …
Alright Joey Flacco ! Been playing better this yr than last. Found the fountain of youth back in Jersey. Richardson had alot of red flags coming outa Florida. Shortcomings that weren’t gonna all of a sudden disappear @highest level of the game. Drafted on raw potential n athletic ability. Flacco is good QB to learn from.
Im not writing him off yet.
But, even if he does end up busting out, I think the pick was worth the shot. Bet on athletic ability.
But I also think Josh Allen is making every team think that every raw prospect is sure fire, despite lacking college resumes.
Its never an exact science – but you gotta take your shots.
Better to make the move too early than too late.
Richardson is a bust. He wasn’t that good at Florida. So erratic.
The reality is that Richardson isn’t a bust; you have to have been good to start with to be a bust. His college stats were extremely underwhelming; why the Colts thought he all of a sudden would be a good QB is beyond me.