We all thought it was coach speak coming from Shane Steichen at his regularly scheduled Monday presser. When asked about the status of Anthony Richardson he admitted the staff was “evaluating everything” when it came to whether Richardson would start this Sunday night in Minnesota. Well, we got the news today that the Colts have made one of the most short-sighted decisions in franchise history. They have decided to bench Anthony Richardson and start Joe Flacco on Sunday night.
10 Game Sample Size
When the franchise drafted Anthony Richardson, they warned us that he was a project. It would take some time to mold him into the franchise quarterback we all wanted. He had the talent, the confidence, and the freakish athleticism that scouts and coaches drool over. He had to sit most of his first season with a shoulder injury, that in hindsight, was probably best for him. He came in with great expectations this season but most fans (myself included) knew this would take some time and we had to display patience.
Well, that patience has run dry now after only ten games. That’s right. This franchise has given this 22-year-old just ten games to prove he can play quarterback in the NFL. Barely half a season, and they have given up on him.
No Going Back On This Decision
This decision is a monumental franchise-shifting move going forward. In my belief, there is no going back to Richardson now, at least in the long term. Sure, you can go back in the short term (with a Flacco injury), but his future with this franchise is over. You have destroyed his confidence, and they have shown their cards. They told us they wanted to mold this quarterback, but Ballard lied to us. He, they, and everyone in that building want instant gratification. This team was not a Super Bowl team to begin with. They are not one with Richardson, and they are not one with Flacco either.
We have seen this happen already with one quarterback from the same draft class as Richardson. Panthers QB Bryce Young was benched for the veteran Andy Dalton a few weeks ago. It has not gone well for them, and it appears that Bryce Young’s time in Carolina is complete. Richardson will inevitably suffer the same fate here in Indianapolis now. This is a move you only make once.
Chris Ballard Has Sealed His Fate
You could argue that the entire organization has sealed its fate, but it is Ballard who needs to take the biggest fall here. I have spent too long defending him and that time is over now. We gave him chance after chance after chance. He used a band-aid approach after the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck and drew criticism for it. He finally took a chance in the draft with Anthony Richardson and preached patience. If 10 games are the length of his patience then he (Ballard) should have been let go a long, long time ago.
The Colts were in football purgatory last season, and now Chris Ballard and this staff have done the same thing again this season. You rolled the dice on a young prospect, and you crapped out on it. This organization has bordered on incompetence as of late and is now acting cowardly by taking the easy way out. I am still rooting for Richardson, but it’s time for Ballard to meet his fate because this loyal fan base (and city) deserves to have a winning football team again.
More from The Blue Stable:
Recapping the Rollercoaster: What to make of Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson is “Tired” and Shane Steichen Begins to Lose his Luster
You said that Bryce Young’s future and Carolina is over. Yet he started the game this week. It’s over but he’s a starter? Come on
Exactly.Great mind here.
Richardson wasn’t even a good college QB, what makes us think he’ll be the answer in the NFL? He’ll never be a good QB, he’s an elite athlete who happens to play the position at a highly mediocre level.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been Ballard supporter too but this is ridiculous. Loved Steichen hire loved last year he’s been awful this season putting in offensive scheme that doesn’t help is young QB at all. I’m hoping your wrong about AR’s future with the Colts but your points are well taken
You’re wrong on all your assessments. Just watch him overthrow miss and not see his receivers. And he was tired!
AR sucks he will never be a quality QB in the NFL, I said it at the draft and still saying it today, it just is no good, He couldn’t play in college, what make y’all think he can do it in the NFL
None of this is correct. Richardson’s confidence isn’t ruined just because you declare it to be so. Flacco said yesterday he hopes he can help Richardson with this process and show him it doesn’t have to be a negative thing. Richardson will be our QB of the future. He’s going to learn from Flacco and get better.
The wildest part of this article is when you said, “Panthers QB Bryce Young was benched for the veteran Andy Dalton a few weeks ago. It has not gone well for them, and it appears that Bryce Young’s time in Carolina is complete.”
Yet it was reported on Monday that Bryce Young would be starting again this week despite Andy Dalton being healthy again. So you cant even fact check your information. Take your doom and gloom to another fan base.
Everyone thinks Colts have given up on Richardson. Not true. He needs to study, watch a veteran, and put the work in. He is not ready, but can he get ready, through hard work and commitment? I hope he does. Colts don’t owe Richardson. How bad he wants to be a leader and franchise player we will find out in next 12 months. Being a Pro isn’t a gift its a privilege. Especially as a potentially franchise Quarterback. No one has given up on him, unless he gives up on himself. I am sure our Head Coach feels the same.
Right now, I think it is the best move, AR can be elite quarterback but needs to learn more right now. He’s not accurate on short routes, having trouble reading defense, and etc. He needs to learn from Joe and do better. Joe as taught two awesome young quarterbacks already, AR just needs to learn.
Anthony Richardson has the experience level of a second year half a year college football quarterback the Colts knew that when they drafted him and they expect them to have the mental capacity of a 4-year quarterback of what she is not they get what they pay for that’s it I’m done thank you