Joe Flacco offers wisdom to Anthony Richardson as QB gets benched and faces backlash

Anthony Richardson is being replaced as the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback by Joe Flacco, beginning this coming Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings. However, he should not take it too hard, according to his teammate.

The decision was made on Tuesday after the fourth overall pick of the 2023 Draft pulled himself out of the team's 23-20 loss at the Houston Texans in Week 8, admittedly because he was "tired". During media availability, he said he was "hurt" by the demotion.

But for the former Super Bowl MVP in Flacco, it can only mean an opportunity to learn. Speaking to the media, he said:

"This doesn't have to be a negative thing. There's a lot of positives on his end that can come from this. ... He's very young with a bright future. There's a lot of guys that come into this league and don't play right away."

Meanwhile, head coach Shane Steichen was more pragmatic when explaining why Flacco was replacing Richardson:

“It's my obligation to 53 guys and to this organization to win football games. Tough decision, but one I felt was in the best interest of our football team. I feel Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, not giving up on Anthony by any means."

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Colts teammates react to Anthony Richardson's benching

The Colts have one of the younger rosters in the league. There is the 22-year-old passer by the name of Anthony Richardson, but many of his teammates also entered the NFL in this decade.

Naturally, a good number of them were shocked at their teammate's benching, especially wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. But even a few veterans shared the same sentiment, like linebacker Zaire Franklin, who said, per FOX 59:

“Man, I was thrown off a little bit. It’s a bunch of different things kind of coming on your phone at the same time. So, just like, ‘Wow.’’’

But still, they believe that Richardson will once again become a starter - an improved one at that. Franklin said:

“I still believe he’s the future of this team. I know that sounds crazy to everybody now. But that’s something I still full-heartedly believe.’’

Pittman concurred with him:

“I don’t think this is over. I think he’s going to come back better from that.’’

The Colts-Vikings game will kick off at 8:20 PM ET on NBC.