Joe Flacco to stay Colts QB1 despite offense’s season-low output

MINNEAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback transfer did not precisely play out as anticipated, with the crew’s offense producing its fewest factors, yards and first downs of the season in Joe Flacco’s first sport since being named the starter over Anthony Richardson.

However coach Shane Steichen didn’t seem able to revisit his much-debated resolution, saying within the wake of Indianapolis’ 21-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday evening that Flacco will stay the Colts’ QB1.

“Proper now, sure,” Steichen replied when requested if Flacco remains to be his starter.

Steichen’s resolution was underneath scrutiny after he initiated the change Tuesday and, on Wednesday, informed reporters the decision was made as a result of Flacco “offers us the most effective probability to win proper now.”

As an alternative, the Colts fell to 4-5, and their offense appeared to take a step again, producing season lows in offensive factors (six), yards (227) and first downs (13) whereas struggling to search out any consistency towards the Brian Flores-led protection.

The Colts have been significantly unproductive within the first half, producing simply 92 yards of offense and 62 passing yards.

Indianapolis was 3-for-11 in third-down effectivity for the sport, with Flacco going 3-of-9 for 47 yards in these situations.

“You realize coming in right here towards a crew like that, it’ll be troublesome,” Flacco mentioned. “However I do not suppose you ever anticipate one thing like that.”

General, Flacco accomplished 16 of his 27 passes for 179 yards with one interception, the results of a questionable resolution that allowed Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to undercut Colts extensive receiver Josh Downs on a third-down outbreaking route.

Steichen mentioned Flacco “was positive.”

“Clearly, he is performed in environments like this earlier than,” the coach mentioned. “However once more, it begins with myself … I’ve obtained to maintain taking a look at what we’re doing offensively. We’ve got eight [games] left, and I’ve obtained to take a look at scheme stuff and see what we’re doing and go from there.”

Richardson’s struggles have been well-documented, particularly his NFL-low 44.4% completion fee and 7 interceptions. However the Colts missed the attributes the 22-year-old quarterback offers, together with his harmful deep-ball throws and working means.

Flacco on Sunday generated simply two completions longer than 20 yards. His 7.7 air yards per try was the bottom by the Colts in a sport this season. Explosive performs is an space the place Richardson excelled, with an NFL-high 12.3 air yards per try in 2024.

As for the working sport, the Colts struggled to supply any constant success towards the Vikings’ formidable run protection. Richardson, a dual-threat quarterback, has given the Colts a lift on the bottom that they maybe missed on Sunday. Indianapolis completed with a season-low 68 dashing yards in Minneapolis, with working again Jonathan Taylor (48 yards) matching his lowest output of the season one week after dashing for 105 yards in a loss on the Houston Texans.

The change in quarterback “positively modifications up the performs that we run,” Indy wideout Alec Pierce mentioned. “We’re not doing as many [run-pass option] varieties of issues.”

The offensive efficiency overshadowed a defensive surge by the Colts, who produced three turnovers, together with a strip sack by Grover Stewart that was scooped up and returned for a landing by Kenny Moore II. It was the Colts’ solely TD of the sport.