INDIANAPOLIS — A disappointed Joe Flacco entered the Colts locker room reinforcement again on Wednesday.
But Flacco avoided his disappointment with Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s decision Tuesday by benching the 39-year-old quarterback to return to Anthony Richardson as the starting quarterback. the team.
Flacco has focused his discontent on his own play in the last two games.
“Obviously, as a competitor, I’m disappointed with how the last two games went,” Flacco said. “I wanted to provide a spark and get wins for the team, I failed to do that.”
Flacco had provided a steady hand in his first stint as a starter with the Colts, playing in place of the injured Richardson early in the season.
Those three games played a role in Steichen’s initial decision to bench Richardson and go to Flacco, a move he initially touted as the franchise’s best chance at winning, although on Wednesday, Steichen indicated that the decision also centered on the desire to get Richardson to prepare to a higher standard.
“I informed Joe of the decision (Tuesday),” Steichen said. “He’s the ultimate pro. He respects the decision, understands it.
Flacco struggled in the two games he started after Steichen’s decision to bench Richardson, leading an Indianapolis offense that produced just two touchdowns in two games.
The 39-year-old quarterback completed 42 of 62 passes (67.7%) for 451 yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions, two lost fumbles and took seven sacks in losses to Minnesota and Buffalo.
Steichen denied that Flacco’s performance played a role in the decision.
“That’s not the case,” Steichen said. “I’m not going to get into hypotheticals or anything like that. Again, we believe Anthony is our franchise quarterback. … We had to take that time: ‘Hey, this is what’s happening. That’s what the deal is. We must develop in these areas. … He did it at a good pace.
Flacco’s approach to the same issue was pragmatic.
“I think every time you step on the field in this league, you’re evaluated,” Flacco said. “I’m really disappointed with how the last few weeks have gone, because when you walk into that locker room, you want to be able to really hold your head high and feel like you’ve done the best for the team, and I didn’t necessarily feel like I did that.
Flacco now returns to his original role on the team, providing an experienced, veteran option to support Richardson.
The Colts have already needed him twice this season.
They could always need him again.
“Yeah, look, I mean, you can be in your feelings all you want, and it’s going to affect you in a negative way,” Flacco said. “You still have to keep your head on straight, go to work and always be ready to go.”
This article was originally published on the Indianapolis Star: Colts Joe Flacco ‘disappointed’ as starting QB
