Why Colts Are an Inept Organization

The Indianapolis Colts appear like they have no idea what to do with the future of their franchise.

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) walks on the field after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts suffered through a disastrous 2022 campaign (4-12-1) to have the chance to draft a franchise quarterback early in the 2023 process. Owner Jim Irsay, general manager Chris Ballard, and head coach Shane Steichen all unanimously agreed to invest in Florida Gators super-athlete, Anthony Richardson.

Immediately the narrative was that, while insanely capable, Richardson would sometimes struggle with mechanics, accuracy, and adjustments while learning the ways of an NFL quarterback. While he only saw limited action before being hurt in 2023, the process had begun. Fast-track to 2024 and the feeling on Richardson's future has drastically changed, with even Steichen showcasing a different tone with Joe Flacco to 'win now,' rather than get through the tough times with Richardson. After another quarterback drama episode, is it safe to say Indianapolis is clueless about its direction as a franchise?

Steichen's Comments Raise Concerns

Oct 20, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen leaves the field Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, after defeating the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images / Grace Hollars/IndyStar USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images-Imagn Images

Steichen's press conference following Richardson's benching was clumsy, awkward, and ambiguous. To say that Steichen isn't the best in front of the media is accurate, but when pressed about why he decided to start Flacco, his answers were interesting.

"I'm just looking at where we're at as a football team. Sitting at .500, with a lot of football left. Just felt that Joe gives us the best chance going forward."

The plan wasn't to go all-in and win the season with a near 40-year-old signal-caller but to get through the lows of Richardson's struggles so Indy could see the highs. Even though Richardson has been brutally inaccurate this year (44.4% completion), he's also seen 10 starts in his young career. Initially, the feeling throughout the Colts' facility was that you learn best from seeing the field, but that philosophy has also changed at a knee-jerk pace. Steichen mentioned that development can also happen when sitting behind a veteran.

"I know I said that and you know, things change there. I think right now sitting back and seeing a veteran that's done it at a high level for a long time, you can develop that way as well."

Steichen is walking back from his previous plan with Richardson. Gardner Minshew was the veteran that Richardson was supposed to learn from while injured, not Flacco when healthy and able. In my humble opinion, Steichen seems to be looking for more answers to perplexing issues than finding a suitable solution for Richardson's development. Starting Flacco simply feels like scrambling for solutions, with a possible wild card postseason exit as the height of potential this year.

I asked Shane Steichen if he thinks Anthony Richardson will start for the #Colts again:

“I can’t predict that, but I’m not losing faith in that. I promise you that.”

Is the plan for AR to start again?

“I can’t predict the future, but, I mean, that would be great. We’ll see.” pic.twitter.com/022YJgwEXn

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 30, 2024

What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

The Locker Room Seems Shaken/Confused

Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) during pregame warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

When a major switch like who starts at quarterback happens, the most important players should be informed and in the know. But, when considering a player like star pass-catcher Michael Pittman Jr., social media is how he found out about Richardson's benching.

#Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. on the QB change:

“I first found out through social media but then I messaged somebody from our front office to see if it was confirmed and then it was.”

How was he formally told?

“Everybody’s seen it, so we haven’t necessarily talked about it …” pic.twitter.com/Pi1Hy4HnFr

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) October 30, 2024

This is unacceptable for Indianapolis to not inform the top names like Pittman before the media. Instead, the former USC Trojan had to double-check with the front office that it was the case. While it seems like a small thing since ultimately, it's Steichen's decision, having such a lackluster approach to updating the squad on team news gives off an awful look professionally and has the chance to smash morale.

For others like center Ryan Kelly, Steichen point-blank informed him of the decision early but chose to keep out other players like Pittman.

Ryan Kelly on hearing the decision of Anthony Richardson being benched: pic.twitter.com/mR1yCmS2Mr

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) October 31, 2024

While informing Kelly was out of respect for the longest-tenured Colts player, it seems weird that other mainstays like Pittman weren't informed in the same manner. If anything, it shows that perhaps the coaching staff/front office wanted to approach this by layering who they told, and when. Did they not trust Pittman with the information? Is Kelly favored over other players on the team simply because of experience? Yet again, questions are growing like weeds with every day that passes.

The Future Looks Murky (Again)

Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard speaks to the media Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, the Colts Complex. / Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Since the Andrew Luck era concluded in 2019, Indianapolis has looked blind to fixing their QB woes. Drafting Richardson and getting him valuable reps was supposed to end the unknown of Indianapolis' future, but now the mist is settling in, and nobody can forecast what's next after Richardson's demotion.

If the Colts were willing to draft a project QB and only be patient enough to give him ten starts, then that's a bad plan.

They have constantly operated on the fly in the post-Manning era because their plans are consistently bad. It's a poorly run organization.

— Derek Schultz (@Schultz975) October 29, 2024

If the Colts are so eager to sit Richardson, why push the narrative to start him ASAP in the first place? At the most important position in football, Indianapolis looks like they're convicted in their belief that Richardson can still be the guy despite a mid-season benching in year two. However, on the flip side, it's not that easy for a young quarterback to weather a storm like Richardson is in the middle of.

While there's always the shot that this 'new' plan works out for Richardson, especially since he's so young, there's a great probability it won't. To go back and forth on what to do for field general for five years is exhausting work by Irsay and Ballard, and it might end the Steichen-Richardson era before it grows legs. The hope is that Richardson is strong enough to handle it, but hope isn't tangible, and the Colts want results now.

The Bottom Line

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Colts are indeed inept at this juncture of their franchise history. Whether fans, pundits, players, or coaches want to admit it or not, there's no sustainable plan for their franchise QB in place, or the team's success. In the NFL, tossing ideas into the cosmos and hoping an answer returns is pure foolhardiness.

Indianapolis may prove everyone wrong and turn this situation into pure gold for Richardson and the success of Irsay's team. However, if we're reading into the surface, quotes, feelings, and atmosphere for Indianapolis before their primetime game with the Minnesota Vikings, it's a team that's tired of the drama and looks too similar to 2022 when Frank Reich was canned. We'll see what happens ahead of a tough matchup on the road for the Colts.

---

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.