NFL Exec Rips Anthony Richardson Benching: 'Colts Will Always Be Chasing Their Tail'

Anthony Richardson has played in just 10 games since the Indianapolis Colts made him the franchise quarterback of the future with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, and now the team is facing criticism for its short-term decision to bench him for Joe Flacco this season.

"It feels like the Colts will always be chasing their tail," an executive said in a Thursday piece by Jeff Howe of The Athletic. "It's so shortsighted. They're looking at this season as opposed to how this impacts the organization for seasons to come. You're going to have to pay the piper at some point. So, go through the growing pains now versus inevitably going through them later.

"If they win nine games and miss the playoffs, is it worth it? If they make the playoffs, is it worth it? You did it with a 39-year-old QB. Are they going to re-sign (Flacco) and continue to play with him? You're going to have to face it at some point."

That the benching came after Richardson subbed himself out of Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans and then told reporters he did so because he was tired only drew more attention to the situation, but that reportedly isn't why head coach Shane Steichen made the decision.

"I'm told the decision had nothing to do with his comments about being tired and having to tap himself out of the game," ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin said on Wednesday's episode of Get Up.

"The reality of the situation is he hasn't been playing well this season. This is the problem in the NFL, where you've got to develop rookie quarterbacks, or young quarterbacks, but also win. And the Colts right now, based on that division, based on the talent they have, based on the fact they have [Joe] Flacco, they feel like, hey, let's start the veteran, but we're not giving up on Richardson."

If the goal is to win in the immediate future, it is hard to argue against Flacco.

The veteran already led the Colts to victories over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans when Richardson was sidelined with an oblique injury and has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

By comparison, Richardson has completed just 44.4 percent of his passes with four touchdown throws to seven interceptions this season.

But Flacco also isn't the quarterback of the future for the Colts at this point of his career. If Richardson doesn't work out, they will likely be back at square one looking for an answer in the draft or free agency.

The 22-year-old hasn't had much of an opportunity to work through his early struggles because of injuries and will now have to watch from the bench as Flacco looks to lead the team into postseason contention.

It will only generate more long-term questions for the franchise.