NFL Starting Quarterback Benched After Week 8 Loss
10/29/2024 01:43 PM
We officially have an NFL starting quarterback change following Week 8 on Monday.
The Colts are making a change at starting quarterback. Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen has decided to bench former first round NFL Draft pick Anthony Richardson. The Colts will be going with veteran backup Joe Flacco.
ESPN's NFL insider, Adam Schefter, first reported the news on Tuesday afternoon.
"A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell @FowlerESPN and me," he reported.
"Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs."
Richardson, while incredibly physically gifted, has been arguably the worst quarterback in the NFL this season.
The former Florida Gators quarterback has thrown for 954 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's completing just 44.4 percent of his passes and his 38.4 QBR ranks No. 27 in the league.
Richardson had a brutal interception at the end of the first half against the Texans on Sunday. He was 2 for 15 through two quarters of play - mind-blowingly bad.
However, there are still some in the NFL scouting world that believe in him, with some blaming Colts wide receivers for his poor performance.
Of Anthony Richardson's 22 incompletions yesterday, I counted 7 bad throws
— Eli (@degenEli) October 28, 2024
Hit the receiver in the hands on 8 of those 22
Hit as he was throwing on 6
With a couple of "wtf was that route" thrown in there
Not sold on him being the future, but it's too early to say he's a bust. pic.twitter.com/Atu1dCaamq
The Colts, 4-4 on the season, will take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. E.T. on Sunday, Nov. 3. The game will be airing on NBC.
