INDIANAPOLIS – We’re heading into the Joe Flacco era, for as long it lasts.
He’s a 17-year veteran who’ll start his 188th career game Sunday night when his latest team – the Indianapolis Colts – show up for their primetime meeting with the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
He’s a Super Bowl champion and MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, and was the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year after leading the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs.
Now, he’s so much more for the Colts after a week of transition.
“I’m just looking at where we’re at as a football team,’’ coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday. “Sitting at .500 with a lot of football left, and just feel that Joe gives us the best chance going forward.’’
The long-term plan with Anthony Richardson – which included expected highs and lows – has been discarded. The franchise is turning from the potential possessed by its 22-year-old quarterback to what its 39-year-old backup offers in the here and now.
Steichen, general manager Chris Ballard and owner Jim Irsay met, and Steichen made a decision that figures to have significant ramifications for the franchise and Richardson.
Wednesday, Richardson was vague when asked if he was given a reason for the demotion. He was informed on Tuesday.
“He just told me that they were going to go with Joe and that was that,’’ he said.
So, no real explanation?
“Not necessarily,’’ Richardson said.
Friday, Steichen indicated the team’s erstwhile quarterback of the future was given a clear understanding of his decision.
“Yeah, we had a really good conversation,’’ he said. “Me and Chris sat down with him for a while, about a half hour, 40 minutes, but I’ll keep that private.’’
Bounce around the locker room, and two things are obvious:
*Players generally were surprised by the move, but remain supportive of an ultra-talented player selected with the 4th overall pick in the 2023 draft.
*Everyone immediately pivoted to Flacco.
Michael Pittman Jr. provided an insightful summation.
“I don’t think it changes much,’’ he said Friday of the switch. “And we haven’t specifically talked about our plan going forward.’’
He then reinforced comments from his teammates from earlier this week.
“I think it’s universally understood that this is still AR’s team,’’ he said. “It’s just going to be a step back for him to learn.
“In saying that, we’re all rallying around Joe.’’
One aspect that makes this mid-season move less disruptive is the familiarity with Flacco. He finished the last three quarters of the week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers after Richardson suffered an oblique injury and started the next two games while Richardson was in rehab mode.
There’s an obvious style difference in the quarterbacks.
The 6-6, 230-pound Flacco is more of a pocket passer while the 6-4, 250-pound Richardson offers so much more with his legs and eagerness to stretch the field with his strong right arm. Richardson is the team’s second-leading rusher with 242 yards and one touchdown on 41 attempts.
Richardson’s 242 yards, by the way, are sixth-most among quarterbacks. Flacco’s single-season high: 180 yards in 16 games as a rookie in 2008. He’s managed 241 rushing yards in his last 76 games.
In his 11 quarters on the field – two starts, finishing up against the Steelers – Flacco has completed 65.7% of his passes for 716 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. His 102.2 rating would rank No. 8 in the league if he had the league-minimum numbers to qualify. His 137.2 fourth-quarter rating leads the league.
“It just helps the confidence that Joe brings to the table,’’ Pittman said. “He’s seen everything twice. This is year 17 for him.
“It’s almost like a Philip (Rivers) situation where, ‘OK, this guy’s seen it all. He’s going to make the checks.’ He’ll just go out there and play.’’
All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson mentioned the game plan would be “a little different because AR is an incredible athlete.
“But we’ve had Joe in at quarterback for a couple of games this year and he’s done a great job.’’
Loud environment
The Colts will experience arguably the NFL’s loudest venue Sunday with U.S. Bank Stadium.
Steichen pumped in noise throughout practice this week to simulate what players will face. A good portion of the roster dealt with it in 2022 when the Colts suffered the largest collapse in NFL history in week 15. The decibel level continued to increase as the Vikings overcame a 33-0 halftime deficit and chased down the Colts 39-36 in overtime.
Flacco knows what’s to come.
In 2017, he led the Baltimore Ravens into U.S. Bank Stadium and exited with a 24-16 loss. Flacco passed for 186 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked five times and fumbled three times, none of which were lost.
Flacco also faced the Vikings on the road in 2006 – a 33-31 loss – but that was at the HHH Metrodome.
Raimann out
As expected, left tackle Bernhard Raimann has been ruled out of the Vikings game with a concussion sustained last Sunday at Houston. He’ll likely be replaced by rookie Matt Goncalves.
The third-round draft pick has been on the field for just three offensive snaps in the first eight games.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.