Colts Bench Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco

The Indianapolis Colts have decided to bench quarterback Anthony Richardson in favor of veteran Joe Flacco after just 10 starts, a move that surprised many players, including Michael Pittman Jr. and Zaire Franklin, who learned of the change via social media. Richardson's performance had been subpar, completing only 44.4% of his passes this season, and his recent struggles were highlighted by a dismal outing against the Houston Texans. Despite the benching, the Colts insist they are not giving up on Richardson and see potential for his return in the future. Coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Flacco will be the starter going forward, emphasizing that Richardson needs to improve. Richardson expressed disappointment at the decision but aims to use the experience as a growth opportunity. The Colts are navigating a challenging quarterback situation, seeking stability after years of turnover since Andrew Luck's retirement.