INDIANAPOLIS – It’s going to take more than six turnovers in two games and a three-game losing streak for Shane Steichen to make a change at the most consequential position.
He’s sticking with Joe Flacco.
“Joe will be the starter for the Jets, yes,’’ Steichen said Monday afternoon.
The decision comes roughly 24 hours after Flacco suffered four turnovers – three interceptions, including a pick-6 on the Colts’ first offensive play, and a fumble – in Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The four turnovers led to 17 Bills’ points.
The error-filled outing against Buffalo came on the heels of Flacco directing the offense to its worst outing of the season in a 21-13 loss at Minnesota. The Colts failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since Steichen’s arrival in 2023 and finished with a season-low 227 yards. Flacco suffered an interception and a lost fumble.
“He’s had two games he would want back,’’ Steichen said. “You just stick with it. You grind through the process of this whole thing. It really is a process. We’re going through that process right now and right now, Joe’s still our guy.’’
Flacco is 1-3 as a starter.
The Colts find themselves in this position after Steichen benched Anthony Richardson in favor of Flacco following the week 8 loss at Houston. Richardson completed just 10-of-32 passes for 175 yards with one TD and one interception in the 23-20 loss.
At the time, Steichen insisted the 39-year-old Flacco gave the Colts a better chance to win than the 22-year-old Richardson.
It’s unclear how much internal discussion there’s been regarding a return to Richardson. Steichen reiterated Richardson still is going through the weekly “process’’ as the team’s backup quarterback.
“You’ve got to go through the process every single day and that’s where it’s at,’’ he said, without elaborating. “He’s a great person, phenomenal human being. Not losing faith or trust in him.’’
Steichen mentioned one reason he’s sticking with Flacco is the Colts still are contending for an AFC playoff berth. Despite a three-game losing streak and 4-6 record, they’re on the No. 8 slot for one of seven postseason berths.
The next step must be taken Sunday when the Colts visit the New York Jets, who are 3-7 and have lost six of their last seven.
“It’s not over, yet,’’ Steichen said.
He also was asked about comments from veteran players following the loss to the Bills that questioned significant aspects of the Colts’ preparation and weekly operation.
Kenny Moore II, a perennial team captain, specifically mentioned every player “not working as hard as possible.’’ Linebacker Zaire Franklin, another team captain, and safety Julian Blackmon also were critical.
“I’m not a type to sugarcoat it, honestly,’’ Moore said. “I don’t think the urgency is there. I don’t think the details are there. I don’t think the effort is there.’’
Steichen addressed those issues and others during the normal Monday team meeting.
“Had a good team meeting,’’ he said. “Had a good conversation with the players this morning. Everything (the media has) been talking about was addressed and we’re going to go from there. Anytime you lose, right, it’s frustrating, especially three in a row, games you could have won. The biggest thing is you learn from that. You’re going to go through adversity in every football season. You are; some more than others. We’re going through some adversity right now, but we get to decide how this thing ends.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.