Video: Chase Daniel Admits 'I Was Pretty Harsh' on Colts' Anthony Richardson

Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel acknowledged Thursday that he was hard on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson for pulling himself out of the game for one play agains the Houston Texans last week.

Speaking on the Scoop City podcast (beginning at the 3-minute mark), Daniel said:

"I was pretty harsh last episode on Anthony Richardson with the whole tap-out thing, and rightfully so. You can't do that. Then we find out he gets benched, and it's not just for the game. It's 'moving forward.' So that was a little bit crazy because I agree he needs to benched based on his play, I agree he needs to be made an example out of out of the tap-out thing, so why is it so surprising to me?"

During Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Texans, Richardson tapped on his helmet, which is usually the signal a player makes when they need to come out of the game.

Richardson went to the sidelines for one play, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco entered to hand the ball off on third down, and the Colts settled for a field goal.

After the game, Richardson told reporters that he was not dealing with an injury and simply came out of the game because he was tired, saying: "I was tired. I ain't gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there. I didn't think I was going to be able to go that next play, so I just told Shane I just needed a break right there."

Richardson incurred a ton of criticism from analysts and former players for that admission, including from Daniel, who said the following on Tuesday's episode of the Scoop City podcast (beginning at the 29:50 mark):

"What are we doing? You take yourself out of the game? And you do the pat on your head?Lie to the media. Do not ever say that again in your entire career. You just lost the respect of every football player and every quarterback and every offensive lineman to have ever played the game. I'm being harsh, but that's what this is calling for. I've never seen this in my entire life. It is inexcusable, it is inexplicable. He should be seriously thought about getting benched. That's how I feel about this."

Per ESPN's Stephen Holder, Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday that he was benching Richardson, noting that Flacco would be the team's quarterback "going forward."

That suggests Flacco will possess the starting job for as long as he performs well, calling the future of the 22-year-old Richardson into question.

Richardson is in the midst of only his second NFL season after Indy selected him No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL draft, and he has only 10 career NFL starts to his credit.

While Daniel acknowledged that benching Richardson is the right move for now and suggests that the Colts decision-makers believe their team is better than their 4-4 record indicates, he also said the organization is "not allowing [Richardson] to develop."

The 2024 season has been a struggle for Richardson thus far, as he is completing just 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 242 yards and one score.

By comparison, Flacco has shown a much better grasp of the offense, throwing for 716 yards, seven touchdowns and one pick in four appearances, including two starts.

Flacco is closing in on the end of his career at 40 years of age, but the decision to go with him over a young quarterback who they drafted highly in Richardson suggests the Colts believe they have a roster capable of winning now.