Horseshoe Huddle

Colts' Superstar Exposes Incompetence at Highest Levels

The Indianapolis Colts' top pass-catcher wasn't notified by coaches of Anthony Richardson's benching.
Sean Ackerman|
Sep 10, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) gives his touchdown ball to quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) after scoring his first passing touchdown in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Sep 10, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) gives his touchdown ball to quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) after scoring his first passing touchdown in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

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Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are in the midst of organizational turmoil after news broke that quarterback Anthony Richardson has been benched, despite starting only ten NFL games in his career. To move on from a "project" quarterback this quickly isn't a good indication of the amount of patience the Colts have with their players.

To add embarrassment to the situation, number one wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. told reporters on Wednesday that he learned of the quarterback change through social media and that head coach Shane Steichen did not address the team before news broke (per James Boyd | The Athletic).

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An organization's decision to release news nationally before discussing it internally says a lot about the team's current state. One would imagine that the players involved should know first, but the Colts don't like to make rational decisions. For a team that hired Jeff Saturday as head coach, there's truly no knowing what steps they'll take in the future regarding Richardson's spot on the team.

Pittman has been a leader on and off the field for Indianapolis, so it's hard to imagine why the team would choose not to tell their number one option news about the biggest change they could make. Regardless, Joe Flacco is the new starter for the Colts, who, according to Steichen, are trying to "win now."

Flacco has racked up seven touchdowns and an interception in three appearances this season. In both games that Flacco started, Pittman scored a touchdown. The team's offense is obviously not gone, but the ceiling might be lowered with a 39-year-old veteran taking control.

Indy will face off against one of the league's most aggressive defensive teams, the Minnesota Vikings, this Sunday during Primetime.

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Sean Ackerman
SEAN ACKERMAN

Sean Ackerman is the co-Deputy Editor of Indianapolis Colts on SI. Ackerman, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, majored in broadcasting. He's in his third year covering the NFL.

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