© Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco Addresses Helping Colts, Anthony Richardson as Backup QB
Joe Flacco comes to the Indianapolis Colts ready to mentor Anthony Richardson, but not in the way you may think.
When Gardner Minshew decided to take his talents to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, the Indianapolis Colts immediately found a need at the backup quarterback position.
The logical fits were veteran free agent quarterbacks with similar skill sets to Anthony Richardson. Names like Tyrod Taylor, Tyler Huntley, and Marcus Mariota were floated around as potential options. But instead, the Colts signed a quarterback older than head coach Shane Steichen.
The Colts and former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Flacco agreed to a one-year, $8.7 million deal with $4.5 million guaranteed. Flacco spent most of last season as a free agent before signing with the Cleveland Browns in November. Flacco led the Browns to a 4-1 record in five starts and a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs, earning the quarterback the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.
The 39-year-old Flacco proved he could still play at a high level last season. There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to give it a go again for at least one more season.
“I’ve been fully committed to playing,” Flacco revealed. “I haven’t really thought about not playing football. So yeah to answer that, I’m excited to be on a team and have an idea of what the next couple of months are going to look like.”
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Flacco has accomplished everything there is at this point in his career. Over 16 years, he has thrown for 43,936 yards and 245 touchdowns. Flacco was also the MVP of Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens.
But at this point, it is not about accomplishing anything else for Flacco. His love for the game keeps him motivated to continue playing.
“When you have something that you love to do and you enjoy putting in the work and all that – I don’t know too many people that would give that up to try and go do something else or figure out what else that may be,” Flacco said. “I have no idea what else that would be. One day, I’ll figure that out but I’m not really ready to go figure out what else that may be that I love to do, especially when I’m going to be given an opportunity to do what I love to do.”
Flacco knows that when he signed with the Colts, he signed to be the backup to Richardson. Flacco has experience working with younger quarterbacks and understands what will be asked of him in this role.
“I’ve kind of been in this role for a handful of years now,” Flacco admitted. “It’s just about being in the room with him. A lot of conversations naturally come up when you spend so much time together in a room. It’s just kind of I think being able to bring the experience and being able to help him simplify things and go out there and play fast and use his skillset the way he wants to.”
Many on the outside expect the veteran backup to mentor the young starter. While Flacco is prepared to help Richardson, the veteran does not believe it is his sole job to be a mentor. Working with Richardson every day and imploring knowledge in the quarterback room will turn into a natural mentorship from Flacco.
“I really don’t believe that’s the job of a backup quarterback,” Flacco said when asked about mentoring Richardson. “I think that happens naturally as you become part of the team and like I said, you’re in that room and you are going to obviously do that. I’ve proven to be, I think as far as I’m concerned, a good teammate and I think that’s the most important. Those kind of things happen naturally.”
But do not get the wrong idea. Just because Flacco does not see himself as a bonafide mentor to Richardson does not mean he will not try to help the young quarterback in any way he can. Flacco already sees the incredible potential Richardson has and wants to help him try to reach it.
“I think we all see what kind of athlete he is and what kind of arm he has and all those types of things,” Flacco remarked about Richardson. “That’s why I said earlier, for me being here, it’s teaching him how to simplify, play fast and use those tools as opposed to trying to process certain things that you don’t really need to worry about and you go out there and you’re not even able to use your skillset the way you want to.
“You kind of slow yourself down a little bit. I think we see the athlete he is, the arm he has and the talent that he has. So as long as he can utilize those skills and play in a fast and efficient manner, then I think the sky is the limit.”
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The reality of the situation is that the Colts hope Flacco never has to see the field in 2024. Richardson is on pace to return from shoulder surgery this spring and is progressing well in his recovery. Flacco will only play meaningful snaps if Richardson suffers another injury.
Regardless, Flacco wants to prove to the entire locker room throughout the spring and summer that if his number is called, he will be ready to get the job done.
“My biggest thing when I come to new teams or even when new guys come and you’re on the same team is you want to prove to the locker room that you can play because that’s how you become part of the team,” Flacco explained. “Everybody sees, ‘Oh man, this guy can play. This guy can help us win if he needs to do that.’ You’re competing with yourself every single day to be the best that you can. I think that naturally just kind of rubs off on people. You learn how to work, and you become the best you can.”
He may be older than his head coach, but Flacco can still sling the ball around the field and win games at the highest level. Combine that with his ability to help Richardson in the quarterback room, and Flacco seems like a perfect fit as the backup quarterback in Indy.
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