Consider This—The Colts are making a mistake benching Richardson

A few weeks ago, “Consider This” wrote about the idea that NFL teams often do not correctly prioritize the development of young quarterbacks the way that they should. Given the investment that teams place into these players, be it financial or in draft capital, it’s incredibly short-sighted to not place their top priority on how best to cultivate the talent within a young passer in the hopes that they can become the holy grail, the 15-year franchise quarterback. Think of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and the long-term impact that they have on a franchise.

It was Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell who said, “There’s not enough emphasis put on the organization’s role in the development of the position, meaning I do believe I believe that organizations fail quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.”

It may have been a twist of irony that this past Sunday night, O’Connell had a front row seat to yet another example of a team failing a young quarterback, as the Colts visited O’Connell’s Vikings.

Coming into the game, the Colts decided to bench 2023 fourth overall selection, Anthony Richardson, in favor of veteran journeyman, and South Jersey native, Joe Flacco. The Colts felt it was best to sit a 22-year old that they invested a very high draft pick into 18 months ago. They felt that Flacco, 39, gave them the best chance to win now. It’s a move that’s such a head scratcher both in the short-term and the long-term.

To be fair, Richardson has struggled to make the jump to being the quarterback of a pro team. His completion percentage this season is a dismal 44.4% and his decision making is subpar. He was always a “project” pick, in that whoever drafted him was banking on being able to develop his athleticism and raw talent into a polished quarterback that could be a franchise guy. Richardson has just ten NFL starts under his belt, after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury. Is it in Richardson’s best interest, all of a sudden, to not play? Probably not.

For the Colts to sit him now, and prioritize a possible wild-card playoff berth over his long-term development is beyond foolish. Nobody thinks Joe Flacco is going to win a Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Do the Colts really need to earn a cosmetic playoff appearance? Is it that important that they’ve put the future of Richardson at stake over it? Probably not.

This isn’t the case of a general manager trying to keep their job. Arguably, if Richardson doesn’t pan out, that should spell the end for GM Chris Ballard, having been in the role since 2017 and having just one playoff win to show for it. Seven years is an eternity in pro football. If the Colts find their way into the postseason only to lose their first game, is that going to save Ballard’s job? Probably not.

The Colts ended up losing to the Vikings 21-13. Flacco had a rather pedestrian night, throwing for just 179 yards with an interception. Was that worth possibly shattering the confidence of Richardson? Probably not.

Brian Attard is a lifelong resident of Hammonton, avid sports fan and host on The Sports Box Network (@SportsBoxSports on all social media platforms).