INDIANAPOLIS – Just like that, the criticism regarding Anthony Richardson “tapping out’’ during Sunday’s loss at Houston became secondary.
Monday, the question became: Will he remain the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback?
“We are evaluating everything,’’ coach Shane Steichen said.
That’s in stark contrast to the stance Steichen and the franchise has taken since Richardson was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Whenever he’s been healthy, he’s been the guy.
Now, that’s in doubt.
Steichen opened the door for Richardson to be benched and veteran Joe Flacco to start against the Minnesota Vikings on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
He was asked if Richardson still is the Colts’ starting quarterback.
“Right now, today, he is. Yes,’’ Steichen said.
What about Sunday?
“We’re evaluating everything,’’ he reiterated. “Not just the quarterback (but) everything. Like, we’ve all gotta be better. I mean, we’re sitting at .500 and I think looking back at what we’ve done, there’s a whole bunch of areas we can improve on. I’m not just talking about the quarterback. I’m talking about everything. We’ve gotta be better moving forward.’’
The possible quarterback switch comes on the heels of Richardson tapping his helmet and taking himself out for one play in the third quarter against the Texans. The rare move by a quarterback has been heavily criticized on social media and by national analysts.
“We had a conversation about it 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. It’s a learned experience for him and he’s got to grow from it.’’
Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly also has spoken with Richardson.
“I think he knows that’s not the standard that he needs to play up to and the rest of the team holds him to,’’ Kelly said. “I’m sure he’s going to take some criticism for that and rightfully so. He’s young. I’m sure it’s a learning moment for him.’’
Steichen insisted that moment wouldn’t be a reason to transition to Flacco.
At issue is a marked regression in the Richardson-led passing game and with the offense.
In the 23-20 loss to Houston, Richardson completed just 10-of-32 passes for 175 yards with a 69-yard touchdown to Josh Downs and a critical interception late in the second quarter that led to a Houston TD and a 17-10 halftime lead.
He was just 2-of-15 for 81 yards and the long-distance TD to Downs in the first half, but Steichen insisted he didn’t consider turning to Flacco.
Now, that’s on the table.
To this point, the Colts have been adamant their 22-year-old quarterback needs all the game reps possible. Richardson remains the NFL’s youngest quarterback and has started just 10 games after a 13-start career at Florida.
“Yeah, I think it could go either way, right?’’ Steichen said. “I mean there’s certain guys that throw guys into the fire early and there’s other guys that let them sit back and watch. Like I’ve said before, the more you play, the more you learn at that position. But is there a benefit sometimes in sitting back and watching? Yeah, of course there is. So, those are just conversations that go on in the offseason and constantly going on through NFL football teams.”
What will determine the direction the Colts take at quarterback during this week’s practices?
“I don’t know,’’ Steichen said. “We’ll have those ongoing conversations in the next couple of days.’’
Richardson’s erratic performance might necessitate a switch, which would result in the league’s youngest QB being replaced by his 39-year-old backup.
Flacco started two games while Richardson dealt with an oblique injury. First, he stepped in after Richardson was injured against the Pittsburgh Steelers and completed the 27-24 victory by passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns. In his two starts, Flacco passed for 359 yards and three TDs in a 37-34 loss at Jacksonville and followed that up with 189 yards, two TDs and one interception in a 20-17 win at Tennessee.
Everyone anticipated growing pains with Richardson, but thus far it’s probably been rougher than expected. He’s completed a league-worst 44.4% of his passes and ranks No. 32 among qualifying quarterbacks with a 57.2 passer rating.
There’s also a historical slant to Richardson’s poor play.
For just the second time since the team’s relocation in 1984, the Colts have completed 10 passes or fewer in four games. Richardson has been responsible for all four: 10 at Houston, against Miami and Chicago, and 9 in the season-opener against the Texans.
The only other time the passing game has been that anemic for four games: 1994 with Jim Harbaugh (three times) and Don Majkowski.
The Colts head into Sunday’s meeting with the Vikings with a 4-4 record, but their offense has moved in fits and starts. It ranks 16th in yards per game (326.0) and 11th in rushing (128.0), but is 21st in passing (198.0) and 19th in scoring (21.9).
Richardson has generated six completions of at least 40 yards, tied-3rd most in the league: the 69-yard TD to Downs at Houston, 60- and 54-yard TDs to Alec Pierce and Ashton Dulin, 57- and 44-yard completions to Pierce and a 44-yarder to Kylen Granson.
But Richardson has passed for 212 yards or less in each of the five games he’s started and finished, including three games with 175 yards or fewer.
“Obviously sitting at .500, we’re right in the thick of this thing,’’ Steichen said. “We’ve got to start hitting our stride. November is coming up. November and December. We’ve got to play our best ball. Everything’s right in front of us. We’re right in the thick of it and everything we want to achieve is out in front of us and we’ve got to go get it.’’
Raimann in protocol
Bernard Raimann experienced concussion symptoms when he reported to the team headquarters Monday and the left tackle has been placed in the league’s concussion protocol. His status for Sunday night’s game hinges on whether he passes the various steps on the protocol.
Raimann self-reported concussion symptoms last season and missed two games.
Denbow out
Safety/special teams standout Trevor Denbow has been placed on the injured reserve list after suffering an injury to his right knee on the opening kickoff Sunday.
His spot on the active roster has been filled by Ronnie Harrison Jr.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.