Colts address whether Joe Flacco could take over as starting QB

Nov 3, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Flacco has played very well for the Indianapolis Colts after starting quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered an injury, but that does not mean the team is considering letting him keep the job, however.

Colts coach Shane Steichen was inevitably asked Monday if Flacco might remain the Colts’ starter even after Richardson recovers from the hip injury that kept him out of Week 5. According to Steichen, that is not even a possibility, as Richardson remains locked in as the team’s starter moving forward.

Steichen: Anthony Richardson is our starting quarterback when healthy.

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) October 7, 2024

The question is certainly worth asking. The Colts are 1-1 in the last two games with Flacco playing the bulk of them. In Sunday’s 37-34 loss to Jacksonville, Flacco went 33/44 for 359 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Richardson has not had a statline like that all season.

There is no question that Richardson has much more impressive physical gifts, but is still developing his decision-making. Of course, Richardson is the franchise quarterback, and that need for him to gain experience is part of why the Colts do want to stick with him.

Richardson missed the team’s Week 5 loss to Jacksonville, but he at least had a chance of playing up until Saturday. Based on that, he has a decent chance of being cleared for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.