Colts QB Anthony Richardson Struggling, But Benching Him for Joe Flacco Isn’t the Answer
Anthony Richardson has had a rocky start to his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to consider benching him in favor of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. While Richardson’s early struggles have raised concerns, sticking with the first-round draft pick could be the best move for the franchise in the long run.
Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has shown flashes of his potential but has also made some rookie mistakes. Through the first few weeks of the season, the 21-year-old quarterback has struggled with consistency, accuracy, and decision-making. This has led some fans and analysts to question whether the Colts should turn to Flacco, who was recently signed as a backup, to stabilize the offense.
However, benching Richardson now could hinder his development and shake his confidence. As a young quarterback, growing pains are expected, and the Colts drafted him with the understanding that there would be a learning curve. By giving Richardson the chance to work through his struggles, the Colts are investing in his long-term growth and allowing him to gain valuable experience on the field.
Joe Flacco, a seasoned veteran with a Super Bowl MVP under his belt, would undoubtedly bring stability and experience to the position. However, Flacco’s presence on the roster is more about providing mentorship and depth than being a long-term solution. At 39 years old, Flacco’s best days are behind him, and turning to him would be more of a short-term fix rather than a step toward building a future contender.
The Colts’ coaching staff has expressed confidence in Richardson’s abilities and remains committed to his development. Head coach Shane Steichen has reiterated that Richardson will continue to start and that the team understands the challenges that come with starting a rookie quarterback.
While the growing pains are real, the potential upside with Richardson is significant. With time, patience, and the right guidance, he could become the franchise quarterback the Colts have been searching for since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement. Benching him for Flacco now could derail that progress.
For now, the Colts are better off riding out Richardson’s early struggles and allowing him to learn from his mistakes. Though the road may be bumpy, Indianapolis has a promising young quarterback who could be the key to the team’s success in the future.
Anthony Richardson hasn’t exactly played like a superstar this season, leading some Indianapolis Colts fans to call for him to be benched in favor of backup quarterback Joe Flacco. While Richardson has faced challenges, it’s far too soon to give up on him. He still needs time to learn and grow.
In comparison, the Carolina Panthers recently benched QB Bryce Young, who has struggled with a 2-16 record as a starter. His 9.1 Total QBR this season ranks among the worst in history for consecutive games. Given these struggles, it’s understandable why the Panthers made the decision to bench Young. However, Richardson has only played seven games so far, and it would be premature to consider benching him at this point.
Sorry Colts Fans, it’s Not Time For Joe Flacco Yet
Joe Flacco, the Reigning Comeback Player of the Year
DeMeco Ryans praised debutant Mixon for “stepping up big time.” Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers recently made headlines by benching QB Bryce Young, who has struggled with a 2-16 record as a starter. This marks the worst record through 18 games for any quarterback drafted No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era. Young’s 9.1 Total QBR this season is also one of the lowest in consecutive games in history.
Given these struggles, it’s not surprising the Panthers chose to bench Young. However, in Anthony Richardson’s case, he has only played seven games so far, and benching him now would be premature.
**Sorry Colts Fans, It’s Not Time for Joe Flacco Yet**
Joe Flacco, the reigning Comeback Player of the Year, joined the Colts this past offseason, replacing Gardner Minshew, who is now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Flacco, currently in his 17th NFL season, is best known for his 11-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was named MVP of Super Bowl XLVII. Last season, he earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award after stepping in for the injury-plagued Cleveland Browns, making five late-season starts and helping them reach the playoffs.
While it’s unclear how Flacco would perform if he started over Richardson, he could potentially lead the Colts to a solid campaign, similar to Minshew’s success last season. However, Richardson needs to remain the starter to gain valuable experience. He needs as many reps as possible to continue his development in the pro game.
Be Patient With Anthony Richardson
The Carolina Panthers recently benched quarterback Bryce Young after a rocky start to his career. With a 2-16 record as the team’s starter, it marks the worst 18-game stretch of any No. 1 overall draft pick in the Super Bowl era. Young’s Total QBR of 9.1 is also among the lowest ever recorded for consecutive games.
Given those struggles, it’s no surprise that the Panthers decided to bench Young. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson, who has only played seven games for the Colts, should not be benched at this point. It would be premature to make such a drastic move.
Sorry, Colts Fans—It’s Not Time for Joe Flacco Yet
Joe Flacco, the reigning Comeback Player of the Year, joined the Colts this past offseason after replacing Gardner Minshew, who is now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Flacco, currently in his 17th NFL season, is best known for his 11-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was named MVP of Super Bowl XLVII. Last season, Flacco made five starts for the injury-plagued Cleveland Browns, helping them make a late push for the playoffs and earning him the Comeback Player of the Year award.
While it’s unclear what kind of impact Flacco would have if he started in place of Richardson, he might offer stability similar to what Minshew provided last season. However, as one of the top backup quarterbacks in the league, Flacco’s role is to support Richardson, who still needs reps to develop his game.
Be Patient with Anthony Richardson
The Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in the 2023 draft, hoping he would become their franchise quarterback. Despite playing just four games as a rookie due to injury, Richardson has managed to stay healthy this season and shown flashes of brilliance.
His 60-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce is a prime example of his potential, and he’s demonstrated impressive mobility. However, he’s also thrown six interceptions, including three in a rough outing against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.
Fans should remember that many superstar quarterbacks didn’t have perfect beginnings. Peyton Manning led the league in interceptions (28) as a rookie, and it took Josh Allen three years to become an elite quarterback.
While Colts fans reminisce about the eras of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, it’s important to give Richardson the time to grow into his role. He may never reach the heights of Manning or Luck, but with hard work on his accuracy and continued health, he could become a star. For now, patience is key, and it’s not time for Joe Flacco to take over. Richardson needs to stay in the starting role and keep developing.
