Colts coach: QB Joe Flacco is team's starting QB 'going forward'
Wed Oct 30 12:20pm ET
Field Level Media
Indianapolis Colts veteran Joe Flacco will serve as the team's starting quarterback "going forward," head coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday.
Steichen noted that it's not just a one-week switch from former first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson to the 39-year-old Flacco.
The Colts (4-4) had won four of their previous five games before dropping a 23-20 decision to the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (6-2) on Sunday.
"I'm just looking where we're at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left," Steichen said, "and feel that Joe gives us the best chance going forward."
Flacco will be under center for Indianapolis' game on Sunday night versus the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) in Minneapolis. Richardson will serve as Flacco's backup, Steichen said.
Richardson completed only 10 of 32 passes (31.3 percent) for 175 yards with one touchdown and one interception last Sunday against the Texans.
During the third quarter, Richardson made the unusual move of taking himself out of the game in the middle of a Colts drive. He later explained that he needed a breather after scrambling on several plays.
"Tired, I ain't gonna lie," said Richardson, 22. "That was a lot of running right there that I did. ... So, I just told Shane that I needed a break right there."
Richardson, who missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury, has completed just 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards with four TDs and seven interceptions in six games this season.
Drafted No. 4 overall in 2023 out of Florida, Richardson's rookie season ended after just four games due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
"Not giving up on Anthony by any means," Steichen said. "He's a really young player with a ton of talent. He'll use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional."
Flacco was 1-1 in two starts earlier this month against Jacksonville and Tennessee. He has completed 65.7 percent of his passes this season for 716 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.
Flacco is 104-83 as an NFL starter with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Cleveland Browns (2023) and Colts. He has thrown for 44,652 yards with 252 TDs and 156 INTs. He was the MVP of Baltimore's 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
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The Paur Report
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From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen reported that quarterback Joe Flacco will be the team's starter moving forward. Indianapolis is going all-in on Flacco, who they believe gives them the "best chance to win right now." Steichen also noted they have not given up on second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Evidently, Indy has finally realized what was immediately apparent when Richardson went down with a hip injury in Week 4 -- the veteran QB is far and away the most competent signal-caller on this squad. The 39-year-old will be a massive boon to all Colts' pass-catchers and should help substantiate the offense overall for the remainder of his tenure as the starter. Among the 225 quarterbacks who have dropped back 250-plus times since the year 2000, Richardson ranks 222nd in completion rate (50%).
From RotoBaller
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From TheHuddle
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From TheHuddle
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From RotoBaller
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Fantasy Spin: Flacco threw seven TDs to one INT in three games, and there was chemistry with this offense from the jump. Let's not get crazy here, but he could absolutely be a mix-and-match QB in the right matchup. The Minnesota Vikings present a great one this week.
From TheHuddle
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From TheHuddle
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From TheHuddle
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From TheHuddle
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Fantasy Spin: Rodgers is likely to play and should be considered a QB2 option.
From TheHuddle
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From TheHuddle
