"Head Coach of Colts Confirms Joe Flacco as Team's Starting Quarterback Moving Forward"
The Indianapolis Colts' veteran, Joe Flacco, has been named the team's starting quarterback by head coach Shane Steichen on Wednesday.
Steichen clarified that this change is not just for one week, but for the foreseeable future.
Prior to their loss to the Houston Texans, the Colts had won four out of their last five games.
\"Considering where we are as a team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left,\" Steichen explained, \"I believe that Joe gives us the best chance moving forward.\"
Flacco will take the field as the starting quarterback for the Colts' game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Richardson will serve as his backup, according to Steichen.
In their previous game against the Texans, Richardson completed only 31.3% of his passes for 175 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
During the third quarter, Richardson made the decision to remove himself from the game in the middle of a drive. He later revealed that he needed a break after scrambling on multiple plays.
\"I was tired, I won't lie,\" said the 22-year-old Richardson. \"I did a lot of running out there. So, I told Shane that I needed a break.\"
Richardson, who missed two games earlier in the season due to an oblique injury, has only completed 44.4% of his passes for 958 yards, with four touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games this season.
Drafted fourth overall in 2023 from the University of Florida, Richardson's rookie season was cut short after just four games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Steichen made it clear that they are not giving up on Richardson, stating, \"He's a very young player with a lot of talent. This time will allow him to continue to develop and grow as a professional.\"
Flacco previously started two games this month against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, winning one and losing one. He has completed 65.7% of his passes this season for 716 yards, with seven touchdowns and one interception.
As an NFL starter, Flacco has a record of 104-83 with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Cleveland Browns (2023), and now the Colts. He has thrown for 44,652 yards, with 252 touchdowns and 156 interceptions. He was also named MVP in the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory against the San Francisco 49ers.