The Indianapolis Colts have decided to return to Joe Flacco as the team’s starting quarterback, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

On Monday, following the Colts’ 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans, head coach Shane Steichen would not commit to Anthony Richardson as the team’s starter, saying they were considering their options for the Week 9 game against the Minnesota were “evaluating”. Vikings.

Richardson went 10-for-32 passing for 175 yards and one touchdown and one interception against Houston. He explained that his brief absence in the third quarter was due to him being “tired.”

Ten games into his NFL career, Richardson has shown little sign of development. In fact, he has deteriorated. Richardson’s rookie campaign was limited to four games due to multiple injuries. But he showed his upside, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per completion. His completion percentage of 59.5% left room for improvement.

In six games as a starter this season, Richardson has taken a step back and the concerns that followed him from Florida have only grown. The deep balls are there. Richardson leads the league with 16.2 yards per completion and has thrown multiple highlight-reel touchdown passes. But his 44.4% completion rate doesn’t match that of an NFL backup, let alone a starter. That includes his 4-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

After a resurgent season in Cleveland in 2023, Flacco joined the Colts this season to back up Richardson. He started three games and led the team to two victories. He has a 65.7% completion percentage and has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception while averaging 179 passing yards per game.