Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen said he’s “evaluating” the quarterback situation amid Anthony Richardson‘s recent struggles, but the coach indicated that Richardson’s surprising decision to ask out of Sunday’s game for a late-third-quarter play will not be a factor in his decision making.
Richardson was 10 for 32 for 175 yards in Sunday’s loss at the Houston Texans, and the team’s offensive struggles have prompted Steichen to take a closer look ahead of their Sunday night matchup at Minnesota.
“We’re evaluating everything,” Steichen said when asked whether Richardson would start that game.
When pressed if Richardson was still the team’s starter, said Steichen: “Right now, today, he is, yes.”
Joe Flacco, the Colts’ 39-year old backup, went 1-1 in his two starts this season while Richardson rehabbed an oblique injury.
Richardson has arguably experienced a regression since last season, when he showed promise in four starts before landing on injured reserve and missing 12 games following shoulder surgery. His 44.4% completion rate this season is 15 points lower than his rookie year completion rate and, according to ESPN Research, is the fifth worst in a player’s first six games of a season since 2000.
Steichen’s comments came one day after Richardson inexplicably took himself out of Sunday’s game for one play after back-to-back scrambles because he was “tired.”
Flacco came into the game while Richardson was out and handed off to running back Jonathan Taylor.
Steichen did not defend Richardson’s decision.
“We had a conversation about it this morning in the quarterback room, which I’ll keep private,” Steichen said. “But, obviously, in those situations he knows on those type of deals, you can’t take yourself out and it’s a learned experience for him and he’s got to grow from it.”
