The Indianapolis Colts’ season took a puzzling turn on Sunday when quarterback Anthony Richardson chose to bench himself mid-drive due to fatigue in the midst of the Colts’ 30-10 loss to the Houston Texans.
The move, unprecedented among NFL quarterbacks, has drawn severe criticism from fans, analysts, and former players, putting Richardson’s leadership and readiness for the role under intense scrutiny.
Richardson’s performance in the game was poor. Completing only 10 of 32 passes with a season-low 31.3% completion rate, the rookie quarterback struggled to keep the offense moving.
After a series of runs on a critical third-quarter drive, Richardson signaled to the sideline that he needed to step out for a breather, surprising coaches, teammates, and fans alike.
“I was tired,” he said after the game. “I ain’t gonna lie. That was a lot of running right there. I didn’t think I was going to be able to go that next play, so I just told [Colts coach] Shane [Steichen] I just needed a break right there.”
Needless to say, Richardson caught hell from the football world for his unprecedented decision to remove himself from the game.
ESPN’s “Get Up” panel weighed in sharply on the controversy, with former offensive lineman Damien Woody delivering a pointed critique: “We don’t get breaks. We’re blocking for you every single play to protect you, and you’re going to sit there and tap your head and ask out of the game? You need to get your conditioning up. I can’t even wrap my mind around that you’re asking out of the game. You must be grossly out of shape or something else must be going on.”
Longtime NFL coach Rex Ryan echoed Woody’s sentiments, asking simply, “What makes him think this is acceptable?”
And former Colts quarterback Dan Orlovsky emphasized the rarity of the situation, saying, “When it comes to physical exertion, no one’s job is easier on game day than the quarterback’s. I can’t fathom Anthony saying this.”
Richardson’s center, Ryan Kelly, admitted that the bizarre development simply cannot happen.
“We had a conversation about it, and I think he knows that’s not the standard he needs to play up to,” Kelly said. “I know he’s going to take some criticism for that, and rightfully so, it’s not a good look.”
Even Pat McAfee, who is admittedly a Colts/Richardson-homer, called the quarterback out for his shocking move.
“I had never seen an NFL QB tap out while still being healthy until watching Anthony Richardson,” McAfee posted on X. “The QB is your franchise. The message it sends is loud and influential.”
Appearing on McAfee’s show, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter pointed out that the feeling around the league was one of disbelief.
“You can tap out and you can say when it comes up, ‘I had a cramp, I felt something in my knee or shoulder,'” Schefter said. “For you to say you’re tired, you can’t say that.”
Richardson has struggled mightily throughout his young career.
Moments like the one yesterday certainly don’t reflect well upon him, especially after last year when many fans thought he wasn’t pushing himself hard enough to return from injury.
You have to wonder how the veterans in the locker room feel about Richardson right now, especially when Joe Flacco is sitting on the bench behind him.
What are your thoughts on Richardson pulling himself out of the game because he was tired? … Should Steichen bench him for Flacco???
