INDIANAPOLIS — The atmosphere was charged with discontent as Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen faced the disapproval from fans during a recent game. Despite the calls from the crowd to replace 39-year-old Joe Flacco with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, Steichen remained steadfast in his decision, insisting that Flacco was still the best choice for the team.
A mere two weeks after naming Flacco the starter, Steichen found himself under scrutiny as the Colts faced mounting pressure. When questioned about his confidence in Flacco, who has been underperforming with the team sitting at 4-6, Steichen stated, “Until I say otherwise, Joe is our guy right now.” He acknowledged the frustrations but emphasized the need for a thorough review of the situation before making any decisions.
Flacco’s performance in the Colts’ recent 30-20 loss to Buffalo highlighted the team’s struggles. He completed 26 of 35 passes for 272 yards, producing two touchdowns but also yielding three interceptions. His inability to protect the ball, resulting in six turnovers over two games, has put the Colts in a challenging position, as Flacco maintained a subpar record of 1-3 this season.
The discontent from fans grew louder after Flacco threw an interception on his first pass of the game, which was later returned for a touchdown. Flacco himself acknowledged that his decision-making has not been sharp. “You don’t want to put yourself in that situation,” he remarked regarding the negativity from fans, emphasizing the need for personal accountability in the team’s performance.
The search for solutions to turn things around is proving to be complex. Richardson, though offering explosive plays and a dynamic running threat alongside Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor, has faced his own issues, including being prone to erratic passing. With only ten starts under his belt since being drafted fourth overall in 2023, questions about his durability and decision-making have arisen.
Compounding the challenges, Flacco has had to contend with an offensive line comprising two rookie players in recent games, which has affected his performance as well. He has also been unlucky with dropped passes and the absence of leading receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who missed the game due to a back injury.
What once looked promising for the Colts has now spiraled into uncertainty. Just weeks ago, they were in contention for the AFC South title, but with the playoffs now a distant prospect, the Colts find themselves evaluating the best path forward. They face a tough decision: revert to Richardson and navigate the complexities of developing a young quarterback, or stick with Flacco, who has yet to show he can consistently lead the team to victory.
As the Colts assess their options with six games left in the season, Steichen appears resolute in his choice of Flacco for now. “We’ve had two games that he’d like to have back, but we’ll keep battling through it,” he said, emphasizing the need to improve and give fans something to support. The road ahead for Indianapolis is riddled with challenges, and it remains to be seen how they will navigate the rest of the season.