INDIANAPOLIS – For anyone asking, Anthony Richardson wasn’t going anywhere.
The NFL’s trade deadline was 4 p.m. Tuesday and there were a handful of moves as playoff contenders acquired a wide receiver or pass rusher from teams who no longer have realistic paths to the postseason.
There was a smattering of national noise the Colts might be interested in ending the Richardson era after just 10 starts and his benching last week, but it was simply noise. A source said even though teams asked about his availability, there never was any consideration to moving the 22-year-old quarterback.
That was part of Shane Steichen’s message last Wednesday when he confirmed the benching of Richardson in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco.
“Not giving up on Anthony by any means. Really not,’’ he said. “He’s a young player with a ton of talent and he’ll use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.’’
Steichen made the move because he believed Flacco “gives us the best chance going forward.’’
The first step didn’t produce the desired results. The Flacco-led offense finished with its worst performance of the season – fewest points, yards, rushing yards, red-zone trips, etc. – in Sunday night’s 21-13 loss at Minnesota.
Flacco will remain the starting quarterback for Sunday’s matchup up the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Yeah, we’ll stay pat with Joe going forward, for now,’’ Steichen said Monday.
But there undoubtedly will come a time the Colts return to the development of Richardson. That was put on hold with the insertion of Flacco into the starting lineup.
“We’ll get to the future when we have to get to the future,’’ Steichen said last week.
He added Richardson “just needs to keep developing and growing as a professional. And obviously, just . . . all the little things, details, all those things, we go through . . . he’s a young player . . . just keep developing.’’
Steichen dismissed national speculation over the weekend that Richardson’s benching was linked to his lack of proper preparation.
“There’s no issues there,’’ he insisted Monday.
After benching the No. 4 overall pick in the draft last week, Steichen was asked if he believed Richardson would start again for the Colts.
“ . . . I’m not losing faith in that, I promise you that,’’ he said. “I can’t predict the future, but I mean, that would be great.’’
A source last week insisted the team believed Richardson would “grow’’ from this adversity and he would be needed “this year and in the future.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
