Former QB offers advice to Colts' Anthony Richardson amid 'tired' controversy

Second-year Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson attracted criticism when he admitted he came out of this past Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans before a third-quarter third-and-goal snap because he was "tired" following a lengthy scramble. 

During the latest edition of The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast, former NFL signal-caller and current analyst Chase Daniel offered Richardson some advice regarding postgame media obligations. 

"Lie," Daniel directly said. "Lie to the media. Do not ever say that again in your entire career. You just lost respect of every football player and every quarterback and every offensive lineman to ever have played the game. I’ve never seen this in my entire life." 

Four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly revealed on Monday that he had a conversation with Richardson about what occurred during the Houston game and made it clear that the 22-year-old subbing himself out due to fatigue is "not the standard that he needs to play up to." Also, on Monday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen suggested he could start veteran Joe Flacco over Richardson when 4-4 Indianapolis plays at the 5-2 Minnesota Vikings this coming Sunday night. 

The Colts made Richardson the fourth overall pick of the 2023 draft, but he thus far has been limited to just 10 career starts due to multiple worrisome physical setbacks. According to Pro Football Reference, Richardson ended Week 8 ranked 27th in the NFL among qualified players with a 38.4 adjusted QBR, last with a 57.2 passer rating, last with a 32.4% passing success rate and last with a woeful 44.4% completion percentage on the season. He's thrown four touchdown passes and seven interceptions. 

Despite those lackluster numbers, individuals such as ESPN's Ben Solak and The Athletic's James Boyd have argued that Steichen should let Richardson continue to develop as a QB1. After all, Richardson recorded just 13 college starts and was always a work in progress. 

If, however, Boyd is right about Richardson having "to rebuild his reputation a bit among his peers" following the "tired" controversy, Steichen may feel that he needs to go to Flacco for the Minnesota game if only to send a message about what will and won't be tolerated moving forward.