Colts QB Anthony Richardson has been benched for Joe Flacco ahead of the Week 9 match-up against the Vikings. Richardson completed only 10-of-32 passes in last week's loss to the Houston Texans throwing one TD and one INT. He was also sacked five times in the game.
Adam Schefter of ESPN: "A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco, sources tell me. Coaches met this morning and made the seismic organizational decision to change QBs."
Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but has not made strides as a passer.
He ranks 37th in PFF Grade for the season and continues to miss open WRs and easy reads.
On the other side, Flacco started two full games for the Colts, finishing as QB4 and QB18 in each of those. Against the Steelers, when Richardson went down with an injury, Flacco finished as QB14.
Richardson's long term value takes a major hit. Though the Colts are unlikely to completely give up on him, it is damning that he has no developed enough to play over Flacco before midseason.
The Colts pass catchers are the big winners. WRs Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce have a better chance at relevant fantasy performances with Flacco at the helm.
In his two full games, the Colts averaged 41 passes per game, meaning more targets for everyone.
RB Jonathan Taylor will remain the focal point of the offense and continue his usual production.
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