Flacco will start for Colts 'going forward'

Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Wednesday that Joe Flacco is the Colts' starting quarterback "going forward," according to team reporter JJ Stankevitz.

"Joe gives us the best chance to win right now," Steichen said at a press conference, per 1075 The Fan's Kevin Bowen.

"I'm just looking where we're at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left," Steichen added, via Stankevitz.

Steichen said Anthony Richardson will serve as Flacco's backup. The coach insisted the team isn't casting the second-year quarterback aside.

"Not giving up on Anthony by any means," Steichen said. "He's a really young player with a ton of talent."

The decision to start Flacco over the 2023 fourth overall pick arrives two days after Steichen said the Colts were "evaluating everything," including whether Richardson would remain the starter in the wake of Week 8's loss to the Houston Texans.

"Of course it hurts," Richardson told reporters in his first comments since being benched, per Bowen. "As a competitor, you definitely don't want to be told that you're not the guy anymore. ... But it's all good, I'm using this moment as an opportunity to grow and just learn from my mistakes."

Richardson also said that Steichen didn't explain the switch under center, according to The Athletic's James Boyd.

Richardson's been inconsistent for most of the 2024 campaign. The Florida product completed 44% of his pass attempts and threw seven interceptions compared to four touchdowns in six starts.

Flacco has flourished when given the opportunity to line up under center this season. The 39-year-old has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, completing 65.7% of his pass attempts.

The league's reigning Comeback Player of the Year will make his third start of the season when the Colts take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.