Joe Flacco Will Remain Colts' QB1 Over Anthony Richardson After Vikings Loss, HC Says

Despite a shaky performance in the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Joe Flacco will still be under center moving forward.

Per The Athletic's James Boyd, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said after the game that Flacco will remain the starter over second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson "right now." Boyd also reported that Steichen said he didn't feel inclined to put Richardson in for Flacco at any point on Sunday.

In the 21-13 loss, Flacco had 179 passing yards with an interception on 16-of-27 passing. He had a 63.7 passer rating, his worst in four games this season.

In his three other games this season, Flacco put up solid numbers as he won two of the three matchups. He had 168 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers before throwing for 359 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran led the Colts to a win over the Tennessee Titans behind 189 passing yards and two touchdowns in October.

Richardson, who played just four games his rookie year due to injuries, had 958 passing yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions before being benched for Flacco ahead of Indianapolis' Week 9 matchup.

Richardson is still trying to find his groove in his second season, but a lackluster start to the year has made that more difficult. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that one source said Richardson being benched "lit a fire under him." If Flacco's struggles continue, Richardson could get another chance to prove he's capable of being a starter.

For now, the Colts will look to Flacco to turn things around and perhaps lead them into the playoffs as he did with the Cleveland Browns a season ago.