Anthony Richardson will regain starting quarterback duties for the Indianapolis Colts beginning with this week’s game against the New York Jets, head coach Shane Steichen announced on Wednesday.
According to Steichen, it will be Richardson’s job for the remainder of the season.
Joe Flacco had been the team’s No. 1 the past two weeks — defeats to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills — but Steichen said that Richardson has shown improvement in practice that warrants giving him another shot to start.
“It’s the attention to detail in everything he does,” Steichen said. “All the little things just have to be at a higher standard. That was discussed with him two weeks ago, and he’s made strides in those areas. He’s a pros pro. It’s my job to get him there.”
This decision comes two days after Steichen told reporters that Flacco would remain the starter, even after throwing four interceptions and losing two fumbles in two games. Despite the veteran’s struggles, Steichen, at the time, wasn’t ready to go back to Richardson.
“You’ve gotta go through the process every single day,” Steichen said of Richardson on Monday. “And that’s where it’s at. He’s a great person, phenomenal human being. Like I said, not ever losing faith or trust in him. We’re going through a process right now, and that’s where it’s at.”
Steichen said Wednesday that Flacco’s play did not factor into this decision.
In six games this season Richardson, No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, has struggled. He’s thrown for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 44.4 completion percentage.
Flacco, meanwhile, hasn’t been able to replicate the success he had last season with the Cleveland Browns. In his six games, he’s thrown for 1,167 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions and a 65.5 completion percentage, but the Colts are 2-4 in games he has played.
Entering Week 11 the Colts are 4-6 and second in the AFC South, two games behind the first-place Houston Texans and just outside the AFC playoff picture.