Former Florida Gators quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag], who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 draft, is once again the starter for the Indianapolis Colts.
Richardson was benched after removing himself from a Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans because he “was tired.” Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco has started the past two games for Indianapolis in his stead.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen and his staff believed that the second-year pro needed to take “greater command of his off-the-field- preparation and attention to detail,” according to ESPN, and those changes have apparently been made over two short weeks.
“He’s going to start this week,” Steichen said. “He will start the rest of the season. And we will go from there.”
Richardson has taken a “deeper dive” into himself while on the bench and expressed gratitude for the time he has had to reflect.
“As a competitor, you never want to be on the sideline when you think there’s an opportunity to go out and help the team,” he said. “But sitting on the sideline just allowed me to just look and see certain things I could correct about myself, certain things that the team needed help with and I’m just forever grateful for the opportunity. I’m glad that Shane felt like I’m the guy again. I’m just forever grateful and I’m just thankful.”
Pat McAfee apologizes to Anthony Richardson
Following the benching, Richardson became the subject of much ire from fans and media types, including ESPN’s Pat McAfee—a former Colt.
“I had never seen an NFL QB tap out while still being healthy until watching Anthony Richardson,” McAfee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday. “The QB is your franchise. The message it sends is loud and influential.”
However, McAfee changed his tune on Monday and issued an apology to Richardson.
“AR, I apologize for being so loud about you tapping out,” McAfee said. “It’s not good to have that happen for your team, but now I’m starting to think, did anybody-has anybody told AR how he’s supposed to be?… He’s got nobody telling him how to operate in that building.”
McAfee then directed his anger toward the coaching staff and front office in Indy, calling attention to the culture that’s developed over recent years. Drafting talented players is not enough to turn a franchise around, especially when many of the same people who guided the team to a No. 4 pick remain in charge.
The general populous appears to be rallying behind Richardson, hoping he’s learned a lesson and is ready to lead the team.
Richardson will return to the starting lineup on Sunday when the Colts head to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to face the New York Jets at 1 p.m. ET.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.