INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen provided a simple explanation for making the quarterback change Wednesday. He wants to win now — and so do the Colts. One day after news broke that Anthony Richardson, the No.
4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, would be benched in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco, Steichen made his first public comments and acknowledged he made the decision for one reason, committing to Flacco for the foreseeable future. “It's my obligation to 53 guys in this organization to win football games,” he said. “Right now, Joe Flacco gives us the best chance.
” The 22-year-old Richardson has struggled with his performance and his health. His completion rate, 44.4%, is the worst in the NFL this season and he's thrown four touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
His nine total turnovers are tied for third most in the NFL despite sitting out two games with an injured right hip. Missing games is not a new phenomenon for Richardson, either. He's sat out 15 of 25 career games and finished just five of his 10 career starts because of an assortment of injuries , including season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder last October.
Then came Sunday. Houston (6-2) picked off one of Richardson's poor throws deep in Colts territory in the final minute of the first half and quickly converted it into a touchdown. The Texans won 23-20 to take a two-game lead in the AFC South and sweep the season series from Indy (4-4).
Worse yet, Richardson br.