Anthony Richardson had a rollercoaster preseason performance against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, raising questions from Kirk Herbstreit about the potential implications for the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback situation. As the Colts secured a 27-14 victory at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Richardson’s play was marked by both moments of promise and significant mistakes, leaving room for debate about his readiness to lead the team.
The game started on a high note for Richardson, as he orchestrated an impressive 80-yard touchdown drive on the Colts’ opening possession. This strong start seemed to validate the Colts’ decision to invest in the young quarterback as their future leader. However, the momentum quickly shifted when Richardson made a costly error on the next drive. A poor decision led to a pick-six deep in his own territory, reminding everyone that the second-year quarterback still has areas in need of refinement.
At halftime, with Richardson no longer on the field, Kirk Herbstreit voiced his concerns during the Amazon broadcast, suggesting that the Colts could face a potential quarterback controversy if Richardson’s inconsistency continues. Speaking with his broadcast partner, Al Michaels, Herbstreit pondered the challenges that might arise for Colts head coach Shane Steichen if Richardson’s performances remain erratic.
“What if he struggles? What if he has a good drive, a good game, and then a bad game?” Herbstreit questioned. “He’s got a pick… everybody’s kind of expecting him to be the guy. But you’ve got a seasoned veteran like Joe Flacco. With the roster they have, I just wonder how you handle that situation if it arises. You know what you’re going to get with Joe Flacco.”
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Herbstreit’s comments reflected a broader concern about Richardson’s ability to consistently perform at a high level. After the pick-six, the Colts went three-and-out on Richardson’s next two drives, underscoring the unpredictability of his play. He finished the night completing 8 of 14 passes for 86 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. However, after the first successful drive, his performance dropped off significantly, completing just 1 of 6 passes for 21 yards along with the interception.
Despite the up-and-down nature of his performance, many believe that Richardson’s starting job is secure, and Herbstreit’s suggestion of a potential quarterback controversy with Joe Flacco may be an overreaction. While Flacco demonstrated reliability last season as a starter for the Cleveland Browns, the Colts have clearly positioned Richardson as their long-term solution at quarterback.
Even though Richardson is still in the early stages of his NFL career—essentially a rookie after playing in just four games last season before a shoulder injury sidelined him—the Colts’ commitment to his development remains strong.
This commitment is evident despite some harsh assessments from opposing players during practice this week. For Richardson to lose his starting role to Flacco, he would have to struggle significantly more than he has shown so far.
The Colts are betting on his potential, and while there may be growing pains, the team appears willing to ride out the highs and lows with Richardson at the helm.
