In the twilight of his illustrious career, veteran QB Joe Flacco has mastered the art of stepping up as a reliable backup, bringing his clutch play to the forefront once again. However, there’s no quarterback controversy brewing in Indianapolis, insists Colts head coach Shane Steichen.
Following the Colts’ heart-stopping 37-34 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Steichen reaffirmed the team’s commitment to Anthony Richardson as their QB1, once he’s back from injury. "Yes, he’s our starting quarterback," Steichen stated emphatically.
Richardson’s absence in Week 5 was due to an oblique injury from a prior clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite also missing their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, the Colts put 34 points on the board, fueled by Flacco’s superb performance.
The former Super Bowl champion didn’t miss a beat, completing 33 of 44 passes for a whopping 359 yards and three touchdowns without a single interception. His stellar throw to Alec Pierce resulted in a game-tying 65-yard touchdown with a mere 2:40 left on the clock, before the Jaguars’ decisive field goal won the game.
After a storied 11-season tenure with the Ravens and an impactful year with the Broncos, Flacco proved indispensable as a reserve with the New York Jets, most memorably orchestrating a win against the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He then joined the Browns, turning their season around by steering them to a 4-1 record across five starts amidst QB injuries.
At 39, Flacco took over for Richardson in Week 4 against Pittsburgh, displaying his veteran poise with 168 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-26 passes. But with Richardson being the fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Colts’ future clearly rests on his capable shoulders. Limited by injuries, including a significant shoulder setback last season that required surgery, Richardson’s glimpses of brilliance make him the undeniable franchise QB.
The Colts, now sitting at 2-3, are gearing up for a pivotal clash away against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. As the stakes heighten, the Colts aim to find their rhythm, with Flacco’s veteran presence bolstering their ranks and Richardson primed to reclaim his starting role. This dynamic showcases the electrifying, ever-changing world of NFL football where every play and every decision carries monumental weight.
