Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Wednesday that after being benched for two games, Anthony Richardson will return as the team’s starting quarterback this week against the New York Jets. The switch to Richardson comes just two days after Steichen had said veteran Joe Flacco would start the game at MetLife Stadium.
Steichen said that while he talked to owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, ultimately it was his decision to return Richardson to the starting role: “We made it very clear to him that he’s our starting quarterback going forward … It’s the attention to detail in everything he does. It’s got to be a higher standard. Over the last two weeks, he’s made strides in those areas.”
Steichen added that Richardson will remain the Colts’ starter for the rest of the season, with Joe Flacco returning to his role as the backup. Richardson was benched in late October in favor of the 39-year-old Flacco; the former Super Bowl MVP had six turnovers in two losses.
Richardson, 22, completed just 44.4% of his passes with four touchdowns and seven interceptions before being benched; he’s started just 10 games in his career.
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