It’s been a rough second season for Anthony Richardson with the Indianapolis Colts. Just eight games in, it sounds like the Colts are done being patient with the former No. 4 overall pick.
On Monday, after the Colts disappointingly lost 23-20 to the AFC South division rival Houston Texans — where Richardson admitted he took himself out because he was tired — head coach Shane Steichen was asked about the young quarterback’s starting status for the Colts’ upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
After Richardson completed just 10 of 32 passes against the Texans’ defense, Steichen was essentially as noncommital as possible about sticking with his young gun:
I asked #Colts HC Shane Steichen if QB Anthony Richardson is the team's starting QB:
"Today he is, yes."
Is he the starting QB for Sunday's game against the #Vikings:
"We're evaluating." | @TheAthleticNFL
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 28, 2024
Oof. Any time a football coach says, “We’re evaluating [everything],” to a straightforward question about a healthy starting quarterback keeping their job, it’s all truly up in the air.
Per RBDSM.com, Richardson is 32nd in the NFL in expected points added (EPA) and completion percentage over expected (CPOE) composite. He has just a 57.2 passer rating among all qualified passers, and he’s tied for third in the NFL with seven interceptions thrown.
The numbers and Richardson’s coach don’t lie: he’s probably about to get benched.