Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was “pretty devastated” by his team’s surprising decision to bench him.
The Colts, 4-4 and 2nd in the AFC South, announced that Joe Flacco, 39, would move up to Richardson’s role as starting quarterback after Sunday’s narrow 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans.
Richardson caused outrage during that game when he appeared to “tap” on a key third-and-goal in the third quarter, and later told reporters that he was tired.
And ESPN Stephen Holder, Colts reporter says Richardson is deeply upset about losing his place.
“They want Richardson to take a step back, take a break from the pressures of the job and try to grow during this time,” Holder explained in X.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is said to be “pretty devastated” about being benched.
Joe Flacco, 39, will be the Colts’ play-caller after the Richardson controversy.
“That’s obviously different from what was said previously, when the consensus was that he should play and learn on the job.”
Holder continued: ‘And, if you’re wondering, I’m told Richardson was quite devastated by the news, as you’d expect. But he will be a professional. Nobody cares about that part.
Flacco has played in three NFL games so far this season, recording two wins over the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even in the only loss, to the Jaguars, he threw for 359 yards and impressed.
Richardson, 22, was picked fourth by the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft, but only played until Week 5, when he suffered a shoulder injury against the Titans that ruled him out for the season.
Pat McAfee criticized Richardson for choosing to briefly sit out Sunday’s game.
The former Colts player wrote on X: “I had never seen an NFL quarterback tap out while still healthy until I saw Anthony Richardson.”
‘The QB is your franchise. The message it sends is strong and influential.”
Many fans agreed.
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee (pictured) took issue with Richardson’s tapping
He turned to X to claim that Richardson’s decision sends a “strong and influential message.”
“I’m done with this experiment,” one wrote. ‘He’s not the answer, Pat. Even if he was, there’s no way he could be healthy for a full season.
Richardson revealed the reason for his departure in his post-match press conference.
“Tired, I’m not going to lie,” he told the media. “What I did was run a lot and I didn’t think I was going to be able to go to the next play.”
“So I just told (HC Shane Steichen) that I needed a break.”
Otherwise, Richardson’s day wasn’t much better. He completed just 10 of 32 passes, and although he connected with Josh Downs on a 69-yard touchdown, the former Florida star also had an interception and two fumbles.
The Colts will play the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday night in the NFL.