The experiment with an inexperienced quarterback has come to a halt going into Week 9. On Tuesday, it was announced that Anthony Richardson will be benched against the Minnesota Vikings in favor of Joe Flacco. This certainly came as a surprise to many, but also was warranted. Richardson is not only worst in completion percentage amongst qualified quarterbacks but he is also tied for third in interceptions, although he has only finished five games.
Needless to say, Richardson’s accuracy and decision making were problematic. However, on top of his play on the field, it was also his inability to stay healthy. In the two seasons that Richardson has been in the league, he has missed 15 games. To go along with his health concerns, Sundays game posed another issue. In a big game against a division rival in the Houston Texans, Richardson took himself out of the game on a third down play. He confessed that it was due to the fact that he was “tired”. This confession brought on a lot of criticism, and rightfully so. Throughout NFL history, the great quarterbacks don’t take themselves out of games. They instead, do everything that they can to help the team succeed.
There is no telling whether it was Anthony Richardson’s play on the field or his confession that sparked him getting benched. Nonetheless, this decision is one that might be good for Richardson. He still is a talented athlete with all of the potential to be great. However, its his turn to watch and learn from the bench.
Three Reasons Why Getting Benched Might Be Good for Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson Will Get to Watch and Learn from a Former Super Bowl MVP
The Colts are benching Richardson in favor of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. Now in his 17th season, Flacco still has some ability left in him. He is not just another veteran backup who has bounced around from team to team. Flacco is a Super Bowl MVP back in 2012, and the AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2023, and listed in the NFL Top 100 on five separate occasions. Needless to say, Flacco’s resume is one that many young quarterbacks would love to emulate. If Anthony Richardson wants another shot at playing in this league, he will need to learn anything he can from Flacco.
He Will Be Forced to Overcome Adversity
For the first time in Richardson’s short NFL career, the buzz around him in nothing but negativity. Coming into his rookie season and even coming into this season, the hype train surrounding Richardson was loud and clear. He was believed to be the next Lamar Jackson or even Cam Newton in his prime. Now, all of those claims have ceased. The claim now is whether or not Richardson will be another first-round bust. That claim still remains to be seen, so the focus for Richardson is to take this new-found criticism and use it to propel his NFL future.
He Will Have More than Enough Motivation to Get Back on the Field
Richardson has had his fair share of being on the sidelines, but it was always due to injuries. He was always assumed to be the starting quarterback, and now, for the first time, he will be on the bench, healthy, watching someone else take over the team. With having to reside in this unfamiliar territory, Richardson will need to take this as an opportunity rather than a curse. Getting benched in this league is typically ones ticket to being knocked out of the league. However, that does not have to be the case for Richardson. His performance at the NFL Combine was a performance of a lifetime, and his skillset is transcendent. He just needs time to put all of the tools together to be the quarterback that many thought he could be.
Main Image: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports
