INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Colts head coach Shane Steichen has officially confirmed that the Colts will be making a change at quarterback. Joe Flacco replaces Anthony Richardson under center for the Colts.

Richardson learned he would no longer be a starter earlier in the week.

“It really hurts, but I understand,” Richardson said. “It’s a business. You have to make decisions. It was difficult for me, but we live and we learn. I’m still grinding.

Despite the demotion, Richardson is using it as an opportunity to grow and develop.

“It’s just another opportunity to grow, to look back and think about the things I could have done better for the team and for the team, and just focus on that,” Richardson said .

Richardson has only started 10 games in his career. He helped the Colts go 5-5 in those 10 games.

He is still only 22 years old.

His teammates are convinced he still has a future with the Colts at quarterback, and Richardson is as well.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself,” Richardson said. “I definitely believe I have the opportunity to do that again, but right now we have games to focus on. I have to assume my role and enjoy it.

In the most recent game, Richardson left late in the third quarter. He only missed one game, which was the final play of this campaign. He returned to the game the next time the Colts offense took the field.

Richardson explained the decision after the game.

“Tired, I’m not going to lie,” Richardson said. “That was a lot of running that I did there, and I didn’t think I was going to be able to do that next time.”

The decision to retire from the game attracted widespread criticism. However, Steichen said that had nothing to do with the decision to bench Richardson.

Richardson reflected on the decision to withdraw from the game on Wednesday.

“I know I can’t do that as a leader, especially as the quarterback of this team,” Richardson said. “Especially as a football player in general, I can’t necessarily take myself out of the game like that, especially in key moments like that. But you live and you learn. You just have to take advantage of it.”

Richardson’s teammates still support him, despite the situation on the bench and after withdrawing from the game.

Josh Downs said this is all getting blown out of proportion, and Zaire Franklin still believes Richardson is the future of the team.

“I know the guys love me,” Richardson said. “I know they support me. It’s just a learning curve at the moment. I just have to improve.

Richardson will be the Colts’ backup quarterback. They will face the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday at 8:20 p.m.

More Colts coverage

Colts players react to quarterback position change

Steichen confirms Joe Flacco is starting QB

Colts players talk about replacing Anthony Richardson out of the game

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