The Colts have a franchise problem, not a Richardson problem.
With only five games left, Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson has gotten most of the media blame for the underperforming season. The last few weeks have shown that it is a leadership and organization problem. The problem is not Richardson or the roster, despite all dropped passes and bad O-line play, displayed in the latest 24 to 6 loss to the Detroit Lions.
The Anthony Richardson questions:
The media has placed much blame on Richardson, often questioning his ability to be the franchise quarterback the Colts drafted. It became loudest after Richardson asked to be subbed out during the middle of a division game against the Houston Texans. In a press conference after the game, he openly admitted to asking to come out of the game for a non-injury-related reason.
While the media’s questions of Richardson’s effort and professionalism are not entirely baseless, it’s fair to question the effort and professionalism of the entire Colts locker room.
Even veteran cornerback Kenny Moore said, “I don’t think the effort is there,” after a loss to the Bills- a game where Richardson wasn’t even playing. Moore’s questions and other clear examples of disorganization from the highest places show the Colts’ problems can’t be fixed from better play and preparation from Richardson.
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Organizational Instability:
The handling of the Colts’ quarterback fiasco the last four weeks is a clear example of disorganization: Richardson was benched for backup Joe Flacco only to return two weeks later. The decision to bring Richardson back came just days after head coach Shane Steichen publicly committed to Flacco for the foreseeable future.
Then, to make matters worse, former Colts Punter and current sports commentator Pat Mcafee directly spoke to reports of gambling in the locker room, players showing up late to meetings and other habits related to poor culture possibly affecting the overall team during an episode of The Pat Mcafee show late last week.
It’s fair to say this problem did not start with Steichen and Richardson. General Manager Chris Ballard and possibly even owner Jim Irsay may be mainly responsible for this culture of disorganization and instability.
The Irsay Factor:
It’s hard to think of the Colts as a lousy franchise, and it’s just as hard to believe Irsay is a significant part of the problem. I grew up in the 2000s, during the Payton Manning era. Even the disappointing years of Andrew Luck’s talent wasted did not feel this hopeless. The Colts feel like a different franchise now, and it is hard not to look to the owner as the cause of some of these obvious organizational problems. After this year, I think General Manager Chris Ballard and/or Stichen will be fired, but will that be enough?
To change the foundation of the Colts, someone must create a culture of accountability with a clear structure and professionalism. But first, Irsay has to allow that person to do it if he cannot. Only then will fans, commentators, and analysts start to see real progress in the win-loss collum.
