NFL Rumors: Anthony Richardson’s Colts Benching ‘Certainly Got His Attention’ | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

A two-week benching reportedly could have been the wake-up call Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson needed to get back on track.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, a source close to Richardson said the decision to bench him “certainly got his attention.” The source added: “I think he will come out of this better. He knows that how he reacts is what is really important.”

After Colts head coach Shane Steichen sat Richardson for two games in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, it was announced that the second-year signal caller will be back under center on Sunday when the Colts take on the New York Jets on the road.

After selecting Indy Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, he showed flashes of brilliance in four starts as a rookie, but a shoulder injury cut his season short.

In six starts so far this season, Richardson has completed just 44.4 percent of his passes for 958 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 242 yards and one score.

The game that led to his benching was a 23-20 road loss to the Houston Texans in which Richardson was just 10-for-32 as a passer.

Richardson raised a few eyebrows during the match when he appeared to remove himself from the game before falling behind for a third. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, Richardson admitted afterward that he needed a breather, saying, “I was tired. I’m not going to lie. That was a lot of running there. I didn’t think I could go that next game, so I told Shane I just needed a break.”

Steichen told reporters that Richardson temporarily withdrawing from the game would not affect his personnel decisions, but two days after the loss to Houston he named Flacco the new starter.

However, the move to Flacco failed to provide a spark for the Colts as they went 0-2, prompting Steichen to turn to Richardson.

A source close to Richardson told Fowler that Colts players publicly supported the move for Richardson this week, as the young quarterback is a hard worker.

Steichen noted that “attention to detail” has been one of Richardson’s biggest problems, but he indicated that Richardson has made progress in that area.

The Colts are still in the AFC playoff hunt, but they need to string together some wins to really have a shot at the postseason.

It could start Sunday against a Jets team that is 3-7 and has performed well below expectations this season.