Insider explains why Colts went back to Anthony Richardson after two games

After only two weeks of having veteran Joe Flacco serve as his starting quarterback, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen went back to second-year pro Anthony Richardson as his QB1 for Indianapolis' game at the 3-7 New York Jets this coming Sunday. 

For a piece published Thursday, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic expanded on Steichen's decision. 

"Steichen decided to return to the 22-year-old Richardson after discussing the situation with owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard," Russini explained. "A team source said that the organization believes this is the best plan for the future, as they are giving Richardson a chance to develop and prove he can be the Colts’ QB of the future."

Multiple injury-related setbacks limited Richardson to just 10 career regular-season starts before he admitted to taking himself out of Indianapolis' Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans because he was "tired." 

While he was, statistically speaking, arguably the league's worst starting quarterback when he was benched following the Houston contest, numerous outsiders said they felt Steichen went to Flacco largely to avoid a locker-room mutiny related to Richardson "quitting" on teammates during a game from arising. 

Richardson acknowledged on Wednesday he learned about focusing "on sacrificing more" for his teammates during what may or may not have been a punishment. 

Steichen relegated Flacco to QB2 duties after the 39-year-old produced duds in back-to-back losses that dropped the Colts to 4-6. Specifically, Flacco lost two fumbles, tossed four interceptions (one of which was returned for a score) and took seven sacks over those two games. 

There's now seemingly no chance Flacco will start again as long as Richardson stays healthy. 

"Richardson will be the starter for the rest of 2024," Russini added in her update. "I’m told there will be no flip-flopping back to Flacco." 

That's probably the right move, considering some think the Colts could want to put Richardson on display through Week 18 en route to trading him ahead of next year's draft. Richardson's value likely took a hit due to the "tired" controversy that generated numerous hot takes from current and former players, but he could put that matter to bed by playing well and showing he's fully dedicated to the cause over Indianapolis' final seven games of the campaign.