The Indianapolis Colts have made the decision to bench Anthony Richardson, their first-round pick from 2023, according to various reports.

Drafted fourth overall last year, Richardson has faced challenges as a starting quarterback in the NFL, with only 10 starts under his belt. He attracted scrutiny after the Colts’ Week 8 defeat against the Houston Texans when he commented that he had taken himself out of the game in the third quarter due to fatigue.

“Tired, I ain’t going to lie,” Richardson admitted. “That was a lot of running, and I didn’t think I could handle the next play. I needed a breather.”

The Colts hold a 4-4 record and are in second place within the AFC South. For their upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 9, they will be relying on backup quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco has started two games this season, finishing with a 1-1 record, and led his team to victory in a Week 4 match against the Pittsburgh Steelers after Richardson left the game due to an injury.

Anthony Richardson: ‘Tired’

During a crucial third-and-goal moment in the third quarter, Richardson stepped off the field after being sacked on the previous play. He did not need medical attention and returned for the subsequent Colts drive.

When asked about his early exit, the second-year quarterback stated, “Man, tired. I ain’t going to lie. I did a lot of running, and I didn’t think I could handle the next play. I needed a breather.”

In the wake of his comments, Colts head coach Shane Steichen did not guarantee that Richardson would start against the Vikings in Week 9.

“We’re reviewing everything,” Steichen mentioned.

He added that he had a conversation with Richardson in the quarterback room and referred to the situation as a “learning experience” for the young player.

NFL Reactions to Richardson’s Remarks

Richardson’s candid remarks caused a stir in the NFL community. Many players and analysts expressed their views on his decision to remove himself from the game.

“We talked about it, and I believe he understands that it doesn’t meet the standards required of him, which the team expects,” said Colts center Ryan Kelly. “I’m sure he’ll face some criticism for that – and rightly so, don’t you think?”

Former Colts punter and sports analyst Pat McAfee tweeted: “I’d never witnessed an NFL QB step out while still being fit until I watched Anthony Richardson. The QB is your franchise. The implications of that decision are significant.”

Former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly criticized Richardson’s reasoning, highlighting Cam Newton’s ability to keep playing and scramble in similar situations.

Performance Stats for Anthony Richardson

As of Week 8 in 2024, Richardson has started six games, boasting a 3-3 record. His passing stats include 59 completions out of 133 attempts, translating to a 44.4% completion rate—the lowest in the league—accumulating 958 passing yards, four touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Besides his passing stats, Richardson has rushed 41 times for 242 yards and scored one rushing touchdown this season.

In his latest start against the Texans in Week 8, Richardson completed only 10 of 32 passes (31.3%, marking the lowest completion percentage of his career), finishing with 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.