Coming off another performance where the Indianapolis Colts’ passing game led by Anthony Richardson struggled, head coach Shane Steichen was asked on Monday by The Athletic’s James Boyd if Richardson is the team’s staring quarterback.
“Today he is, yes,” said Steichen.
Boyd would follow up and ask about the upcoming Sunday night matchup with Minnesota, to which Steichen replied with a more uncertain answer.
“We’re evaluating everything,” Steichen said.
While Steichen, as well as center Ryan Kelly, did talk to Richardson about subbing out of the game for a play on Sunday because he was tired–a conversation that will be kept in-house–that will not be a factor in whether or not Richardson starts this week.
To say that the passing game has struggled with Richardson would be an understatement. While there has been big play ability through the air, the inconsistency and inability to sustain drives through short to intermediate throws has often been too much for the Colts to overcome.
On the year, Richardson has completed just 44.4 percent of his throws at 7.2 yards per attempt with four touchdown passes to seven interceptions. That completion rate is the lowest in football by over 14 percent among eligible quarterbacks.
Beyond the numbers, the most concerning aspect of all of this is that in addition to Richardson not improving, he’s seeming to struggle more and more each week, which also falls on Steichen as the play-caller.
Next up for the Colts is a Minnesota Vikings defense that ranks ninth in points per game allowed and is one of the more blitz-heavy units under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings also disguise their coverages and those blitzes at a high rate as well–making it difficult on the quarterback to decipher what’s coming.
Heading into Week 9, it does feel like the Colts are at a crossroads. Whether the outcome is good or bad, the inexperienced Richardson needs more in-game reps if he’s going to develop. However, it’s Joe Flacco who may give this 4-4 Colts team the best chance to win.
