The Indianapolis Colts made a major decision regarding their offensive unit at around the midway point of the 2024 regular season. Quarterback Anthony Richardson started six of the team’s first eight games, but on Tuesday, news surfaced of Indianapolis’ decision to bench Richardson for now and roll with a veteran signal-caller in Joe Flacco.
On Wednesday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will be Indianapolis’ starting signal-caller “moving forward.”
Colts HC Shane Steichen: Joe will be our quarterback going forward. Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. Not giving up on Anthony Richardson.
It was my decision.— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 30, 2024
Interestingly, Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said that he found out about the Colts’ seismic decision not from someone connected with the team but on social media.
#Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. said he found out about the QB change through social media.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 30, 2024
Pittman has been — by all accounts — one of the Colts’ more productive receivers this season. He has started seven of the eight games he’s appeared in with the Colts and racked up 352 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and 15 first downs receiving so far in his fifth season in Indianapolis.
The 27-year-old had a quiet performance in what may have been Richardson’s last start of the season against the Houston Texans on Oct. 27 though. He tallied just one reception for 16 receiving yards.
The writing was on the wall for Richardson leading up to the Colts’ decision, as he put together rough showings in each of his two most recent starts. Versus the Texans, he completed just 10 of his 32 passing attempts and finished with one passing touchdown compared to one interception. One week prior, against the Miami Dolphins, he also converted under 50 percent of his passes and mustered just 129 passing yards on the game.
Flacco, on the other hand, will seemingly now get to run the offense for the foreseeable future after he started two games for the Colts earlier in the season. He arguably played better than Richardson did in any of his starts when Flacco got the start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 6. Even though Indianapolis lost by three points and came up short of a victory, the veteran threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns while also completing all but 11 of his 44 passes.
