The Indianapolis Colts have decided to bench Anthony Richardson for the foreseeable future.

In a statement on Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen announced that 39-year-old Joe Flacco would now be the starting quarterback, saying, “Joe gives us the best chance to win.”

This decision firmly places Richardson in the backup role, potentially quelling any quarterback controversies as the Colts aim for a playoff berth.

Steichen clarified that this decision was made by him, not by team owner Jim Irsay.

This shift marks a notable change in perspective for the Colts’ coach. After selecting Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Steichen had previously emphasized the importance of on-field experience for player growth.

“I believe that players develop with more playing time,” Steichen stated earlier. “The more you play, the more you grow.”

By moving Richardson to the sidelines, he won’t be getting any game time unless Flacco gets injured, but Steichen is not concerned about that right now.

“I know I mentioned that before, but things change,” Steichen said. “For now, having a veteran like Flacco, who has performed at a high level for years, can also be a form of development.”

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to player development, and it’s unclear what Richardson must do to reclaim the starting position. More importantly, it’s uncertain if he will get another chance to start in Indianapolis.

“I can’t predict that, but I still believe in him,” Steichen responded when asked if Richardson could start again. “I assure you of that.”

However, Steichen did not guarantee that Richardson would be given a chance to return as the starting quarterback in the future.

“I can’t foresee the future, but that would be ideal. We’ll just have to see.”

Richardson has faced challenges in his second season. After missing much of the 2023 season due to injuries, he has struggled with poor performance, another injury, and negative attention this season. In Week 8, he pulled himself out of the game due to fatigue, which raised eyebrows despite it being a loss to the Houston Texans.

As criticism filled the news on Monday, head coach Shane Steichen added fuel to the fire by failing to commit to Richardson as the starter, stating, “We’re evaluating everything,” before officially benching him the next day.

Considering Richardson’s performance, the benching isn’t overly surprising. He has played six games this season with a 3-3 record, completing just 59 of 133 passes (44.4% completion rate, the lowest in the league) for 958 yards, alongside four touchdowns and seven interceptions.

This year, Richardson has also rushed 41 times for 242 yards and one touchdown.