It looks like the surprising recent two-game benching of 2nd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson was head coach Shane Steichen’s call.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the recent decision to bench Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was made by head coach Shane Steichen and not influenced by team owner Jim Irsay, despite some fans’ initial speculation. Rapoport reports, “Sources indicate that Irsay had no part in the decision to reinstate Richardson. He was consulted, but Steichen communicated the decision to him without any attempt from Irsay to sway it.”
While the initial plan was for Joe Flacco to start for the remainder of the season, the Colts were not ready to give up on Richardson. League and team sources revealed that inquiries from other teams about trading for him were quickly dismissed. The Colts were confident Flacco could perform well enough to keep them in playoff contention while Richardson developed quietly. However, after Flacco led the team to an 0-2 record and a decrease to 4-6 due to excessive turnovers, the team reverted back to Richardson.
One insider mentioned that the benching of Richardson was a necessary step for his long-term growth. Steichen later clarified that he had consulted with key decision-makers, including Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, about the benching, but ultimately, the final choice fell to him as the head coach.
This situation emphasizes two main points. First, Richardson’s benching was not purely performance-related; rather, the Colts aimed to send him a “wake-up call” that he must elevate his game in terms of preparation and attention to detail if he wants to be the team’s starting quarterback. They expect him to emerge as a leader in the locker room, setting a positive tone for his teammates.
Secondly, the Colts believed veteran Joe Flacco could provide a spark and keep the team competitive for an AFC playoff run, similar to his previous success last season with the Cleveland Browns. Flacco had shown promise earlier in the season during relief appearances, but he struggled in his last two starts, prompting Steichen to switch back to Richardson sooner than anticipated. Although Flacco was expected to start for the remainder of the season barring injury or continued poor performance, Richardson will now take the reins again against the Jets, looking to leverage his dual-threat abilities to revive a stagnant offense.
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