Anthony Richardson Rumors: Colts’ Jim Irsay ‘Not Involved at All in’ Flacco Benching

Adam WellsNovember 17, 2024

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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay “was not involved at all” in the team’s choice to elevate Anthony Richardson back to the starting quarterback role, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“He was consulted, but [head coach Shane] Steichen informed him of the decision and Irsay did not attempt to sway him in either direction,” Rapoport reported.

Steichen announced this week Richardson will start the remainder of the year, with Joe Flacco moving to the bench.

Per Rapoport, leaning on Flacco for the duration of the season was “the original plan,” but back-to-back losses and Flacco’s four interceptions over that span caused an audible.

Things haven’t gone as planned for Richardson or the Colts this season. He had some dazzling plays early in the year, but his performance was often inconsistent. The 22-year-old completed 44.4 percent of his passes in his first six starts.

Richardson’s season hit a low point in a Week 8 loss to the Houston Texans when he checked himself out of the game for a play in the third quarter. He told reporters afterward that he was tired due to “a lot of running” to escape pressure.

Even before the controversial benching happened, Richardson has had problems staying on the field because of injuries. He missed back-to-back games in Week 5 and 6 this season due to an oblique injury.

Richardson was limited to four games as a rookie due to a concussion and shoulder injury that required surgery. The volume of injuries he has already dealt with at such a young age is a huge concern, especially since he entered the NFL as a long-term project due to his limited playing time in college.

The questions over Richardson’s durability will continue to linger until he can stay healthy through a full season. His demotion does at least seem to have been beneficial, with multiple reports pointing out how it was a wake-up call.