Colts coach Shane Steichen misjudged the decision to bench Richardson and play Flacco

How is that an answer, Shane Steichen? Remind us why Joe Flacco would be a better idea to start at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts than Anthony Richardson?

Flacco still gives the Colts the best chance to win, coach?

“Yeah, right now, yeah,” Steichen told reporters after his team in general and the offense in particular laid an egg on Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings.

So will Flacco remain the Colts' starting quarterback?

“At the moment, yes,” said Steichen.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 27: Head coach Shane Steichen looks on during the game against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

Shane Steichen fails in the QB decision

These questions need to be asked because Colts fans in Indiana and throughout the Western Hemisphere are wondering about Steichen's reaction to Sunday night's depressing and borderline embarrassing presentation of the coach's best offensive idea.

That 21-13 loss sounds like a close game to anyone who wasn't watching. But in reality, it was a complete disaster for the Colts because it was an inescapable example of an organization making a terrible decision and then being proven wrong on national television.

You'll recall that Steichen announced last Wednesday that he was benching Richardson in favor of Flacco because, he said, “Joe gives us the best chance to win right now.”

Steichen, and likely owner Jim Irsay and perhaps general manager Chris Ballard, wanted to win now because they saw that the Colts had a chance to perhaps do well the rest of this season after posting a 4-4 record, even with Richardson had problems as a starter.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 03: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sideline during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Colt's Flacco calculation backfires

The Colts are committed to using Flacco, a veteran with experience, to win now. And this calculation literally pushed the previous priority of developing Richardson for the future, even at the expense of current success, into the background.

But the Minnesota Vikings gave the Colts a chance to get neither option right.

Richardson didn't play. Flacco started and smelled. And the Colts lost.

Good morning Good day. And good night.

The Colts actually delivered their worst offensive performance of the season with their win-now QB.

The scoreboard actually made it seem better than it was because the offense wasn't putting up any points. Indy had 13 points, but that came on two special teams field goals and a defensive touchdown followed by the extra point.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 27: Joe Flacco #15 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco: “Surprised”

“Any time you have a day like we had tonight, you're probably a little surprised that you couldn't get going because they obviously did a really good job against us tonight,” Flacco said.

The Colts' offense was so poor that for the first time this season they failed to reach the red zone (the opponent's 20-yard line and inside) all game.

The total of 13 first downs was the worst mark of the season.

The 227 yards was the worst mark of the season.

Flacco obviously wasn't the whole problem. Usually it's not about just one man.

But it was installed as a starter to remedy the situation. And he didn't. He didn't fulfill his mission. He completed 16 of 27 passes for a modest 179 yards.

And his mistakes were obvious.

November 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) plays against the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter at US Bank Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Flacco made things worse

He threw a terrible interception in the second half that looked like he was intentionally throwing on defense.

He had some accuracy issues, skipped a few passes and overthrew a few, including on a wide-open checkdown throw that a high school quarterback less than half his age could pull off.

Flacco also showed that he is not particularly mobile. He was fired three times. And he couldn't extend plays like Richardson often does.

Flacco rushed twice for minus 1 yard.

And now the most breathtaking part of the evening:

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – NOVEMBER 3: Head coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on November 3, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Steichen believes in Flacco

When anyone with functioning eyes saw that the Colts' offense seemed less dynamic than before, even as Richardson delivered inconsistent games in which he struggled to make even 50 percent of his throws, Steichen wanted to convince us that this outing wasn't bad was.

“I mean, there could have been a few finishes here and there, but again, he's a quiet guy who's been playing at a high level for a long time,” said Steichen. “That’s why I have a lot of trust in him.”

Steichen blamed himself for the Indy offense and promised to look for answers. But he talked about his search, which was about scheme and not necessarily personnel — like the starting quarterback.

This is a young head coach piling one mistake after another. The Colts need to get back to Richardson, if only to make progress in the young quarterback's development.

Because obviously they are not making any progress in their attempt to win now.