Shane Steichen Explains Anthony Richardson Benching

Source: Lauren Leigh Bacho / Getty

INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts soap opera meets primetime for the first time this season, with Anthony Richardson benched and Joe Flacco starting.

It’ll be the Colts (4-4) taking on the Vikings (5-2) in Week 9, with that game flexed to Sunday Night Football.

Here are takeaways from the Colts first practice of the week:

Shane Steichen’s opening statement on Wednesday was as followed: “I’ll start off just by confirming that Joe will be our quarterback going forward. It was a tough decision but one I felt that is in the best interest of our football team. I feel that Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, I’m not giving up on Anthony by any means. I’m really not. He’s a young player with a ton of talent. And he will use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.” That “professional” word was one Steichen came back to on multiple occasions during his weekly Wednesday presser.

Steichen said Richardson would be the backup on Sunday for Joe Flacco. When asked if this is a 1-week benching for Richardson, Steichen said: “No, Joe will be our guy going forward.” Like Steichen said on Monday, he reiterated that the ‘tap out’ from Richardson in Sunday’s loss to the Texans was not a factor. Steichen said he had conversations with his player leadership council and Jim Irsay in making this decision, but it was ultimately his call to bench Richardson. Steichen did not agree with the notion that Richardson needs to up his work ethic commitment level to play quarterback in the NFL: “I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say that. I think he’s developing as a pro and we go from there.”

A few more quotes from Steichen will follow. On what Richardson needs to do to get his job back: “I think he just needs to keep developing and growing as a professional. Obviously, all the little things, the details, we go through that. He’s a young player. I think he’s the second youngest player in the league at his position, just keep developing.”. On Richardson’s reaction to losing his job: “Tough. Anytime you get that news is tough. To lose, to not be the starter anymore, it’s tough. But you know what. I think he’s going to handle it the right way going forward. Be a professional about it, grind, get ready, prepare like you are the starter, because, shoot, he’s still one play away.” On if the plan is for Richardson to start for the Colts again: “I can’t predict that. But I’m not losing faith in that. I can promise you that.”

Later on Wednesday, Anthony Richardson met the media and began with the following: “Of course everybody knows the news I’m not starting this upcoming week. Of course it hurts. As a competitor, you definitely don’t want to be told you’re not the guy anymore for the upcoming week. But all good, I’m just using this opportunity and to learn from my mistakes.” Richardson added he will be trying to work on his leadership and preparation, but didn’t get a specific explanation form Shane Steichen on why he was being benched. Richardson was asked about tapping out for a play on Sunday against the Texans and said the following: “I can’t do that as a leader.” The young quarterback said he was unsure how much that move played into the decision to bench him. Defensive captain Zaire Franklin said he “thrown off a bit” by the benching of Richardson. “I still believe he’s the future of this team. I know that sounds crazy right now,” the veteran linebacker said, adding Richardson had not lost the locker room.

Lost in the Monday news cycle chaos around the Colts was LT-Bernhard Raimann developing concussion like symptoms post-game and entering the protocol. This is the first concussion for the Colts in 2024 and it comes to a very important player. Are we looking at rookie Matt Goncalves getting his first, true taste of the NFL over at left tackle or will it be Blake Freeland, who started two games there last year when Raimann missed time? Based off what we observed in camp/preseason, I’d guess Goncalves gets the look at left tackle on Sunday, if Raimann doesn’t clear concussion protocol. Raimann didn’t practice on Wednesday and was not spotted during the open media availability.

How has Michael Pittman Jr. performed since his back injury almost sent him to injured reserve? Well, he’s been a more inefficient pass catcher. In those 3 games, Pittman Jr. has had 7 catches in 16 targets for 104 yards. That 43% catch rate is a big drop from his career average of 67%. Everything seems to be very contested with targeting MPJ right now. How much of that is related to him playing through this back injury?

Yes, Colts/Vikings brings up memories of the biggest comeback in NFL history. In December of 2022, the Colts blew a 33-0 halftime lead to the Minnesota Vikings. In looking back on that historical defeat under interim head coach Jeff Saturday, the Colts actually still held a 36-7 lead with 17 minutes left. And despite the Vikings throwing an interception and turning it over on downs on two drives the rest of the way, Minnesota still did enough to come back, force the game into overtime and win it on a Greg Joseph field goal, 39-36 at the OT buzzer. What a historically horrific moment for this franchise that will surely be brought up on Sunday’s primetime telecast.

With the flex of this Week 9 matchup going to Sunday Night Football, the Colts are back on SNF for the first time since December 2022 (at Dallas). The Colts are scheduled to be on Sunday Night Football again on November 17^th when they hit the road to take on the Jets. In the past, the Colts have had some impressive road wins on Sunday Night Football (at San Francisco in 2021; at Kansas City in 2019), something they’ll try for again this week.

After getting off to an impressive 5-0 start, the Vikings have lost their last two as they are coming off their mini bye week. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is known as one of the most exotic DCs in the entire league, although that unit hasn’t been as stingy in recent weeks (averaged over 15 points per game in the first 5 weeks vs. 30 points per game the last 2 weeks). The Vikings are expected to have Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson back from a torn ACL for the first time this season. Former Colt cornerback Stephon Gilmore joined the Vikings earlier this offseason. And former GM Ryan Grigson has a high-ranking role within the Vikings organization. Sounds left tackle Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury last week, which led to the Vikings trading for Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson earlier this week.