In a shock, Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson has been benched before Week 9 in the 2024 NFL season. This is according to reports by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero as well as ESPN. Veteran Joe Flacco will replace Richardson in the match between the Colts and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 3. Here’s why head coach Shane Steichen has benched Richardson.
Why has Colts QB Anthony Richardson been benched for Joe Flacco?
Anthony Richardson has been benched due to having below-average stats and struggles across the 2024 NFL season.
The second-year quarterback only has a 44.4 completion percentage in 2024, which according to ESPN is “the fifth-worst in a player’s first six games of a season since 2020.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Colts coaches discussed the situation on Tuesday morning and made the decision to switch Richardson out for Flacco after the meeting.
Richardson also controversially took himself out in the third quarter for one play in the Colts match against the Texans on October 27. After the game, he stated via NFL.com that he was “tired” because he did “a lot of running” and didn’t think he would “be able to do that next play.”
However, the resulting 23-20 loss to the Texans was partly due to Richardson’s subpar passing performance, where he completed only 10 out of 32 passes. He only scored one touchdown and had one critical interception.
Steichen later said on Monday that he had a private conversation with Richardson about him taking himself out of the game, saying that he’s “got to grow from it.”
In late September, Richardson suffered a hip injury during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fortunately, he was able to return after a two-game absence against the Miami Dolphins. It’s unclear how long Richardson will be benched or how long Joe Flacco will replace him.
