NFL Exec Defends Anthony Richardson: Colts Did a 'Disservice' Starting QB as a Rookie

The debate over the Indianapolis Colts' decision to bench Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco isn't limited to fans and analysts.

One NFL executive told The Athletic's Jeff Howe the Colts did Richardson a "disservice" by starting him during his rookie season because he was a development project when they drafted him.

"I'm not sure starting a guy like Anthony during his rookie year was very smart," the executive said. "If you spent time with him (before the draft), it was clear he was going to need at least a year to sit and learn what it takes to play QB in the NFL from a neck-up standpoint, preparation standpoint, etc. (That was a) disservice to him."

The Colts used the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to Richardson after he had the best athletic testing of any draft-eligible quarterback dating back to 1987.

B/R's NFL scouting department called Richardson a "home-run swing on elite tools and fearless pocket management," but expressed concerns about his ability as a passer with accuracy cited as his "biggest area for improvement."

That has proven to be an accurate assessment of Richardson's game. He leads all qualified quarterbacks with 16.2 yards per completion this season, nearly three yards more than the No. 2 player (Brock Purdy: 13.5).

But Richardson has also been one of the least accurate quarterbacks of the 21st century by completion percentage.

Even though there are stats to show that Richardson's completion percentage is being impacted by everything around him, in addition to his own struggles, Colts head coach Shane Steichen justified the change by saying Flacco "gives us the best chance to win right now."

Richardson has had a tumultuous start to his professional career. He played every snap in just one game as a rookie and made four starts total before a shoulder injury ended his 2023 season.

An oblique injury kept Richardson out in Weeks 5 and 6 this season. He completed 50 percent or less of his pass attempts five times in six games with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Steichen emphasized the Colts are "not giving up" on Richardson, but this move does run the risk of potentially throwing off his development track and leaving them in a position where they don't have a long-term solution at quarterback.