Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Brian Dawkins believes it's a combination of things that led to Anthony Richardson's benching with the Indianapolis Colts.
The 2023 first-round draft pick will be on the bench for the foreseeable future with Joe Flacco taking the reins as the starting quarterback. The move comes after the Colts lost 23-20 to the Houston Texans and after Richardson tapped out for a play during the game due to fatigue – something he admitted to reporters following the game.
While head coach Shane Steichen points towards the move as being based on the belief that Flacco gives the 4-4 Colts the best chance to win, Dawkins – a Hall of Fame safety who played 16 years in the NFL from 1996 until 2011 – believes Richardson sitting out for a play combined with his lackluster play led to his benching.
"It's a little bit of both," says Dawkins in a one-on-one interview with RG on behalf of his partnership with USAA and the Wounded Warriors Project. "I believe them struggling and the offense not moving like it should be moving and then that [where Richardson tapped out for a play]. I don't remember a time that I have ever seen that from a quarterback.
"Unless you're hurt or injured, to come out of the game like that is unheard of."
The 4-4 Colts are in the thick of the playoff race, just a half-game behind for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. It's no secret that Flacco's production is superior to Richardson's from a passing standpoint, with the 39-year-old quarterback throwing seven touchdowns to just one interception compared to Richardson's four touchdowns against seven interceptions with a 68.8 passer rating and 44.4% completion rate.
Richardson's passer rating and completion rate both rank at the bottom of the league – and it's not even close. The Tennessee Titans' Will Levis is second-to-last with a 70.7 passer rating, while the New England Patriots' Jacoby Brissett – who has since been benched – is second-to-last in completion percentage with a 59.1% rate.
While Richardson will likely sit out for the rest of this season as the Colts seek to clinch a playoff berth, it doesn't mean it's the end of the road for the young quarterback. He's just 22 years old and has just 10 starts under his belt. He'll likely be back as the team's starting quarterback next season, considering Flacco is at the end of his career at 39 years old.
"He's an extremely young man, extremely gifted when it comes to running, his arm strength is tremendous," says Dawkins of Richardson. “He has all of the capabilities of having success in the National Football League."
Brian Dawkins' Advice to Bo Nix: Don't Turn the Ball Over
One team that hasn't had an issue with their young quarterback is the Denver Broncos with Bo Nix. The Broncos are off to a 5-3 start and are in the thick of AFC playoff contention. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is coming off the best start of his young career, posting three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and no interceptions with 284 passing yards in a 28-14 dismantling of the Carolina Panthers.
Nix was just named the NFL's Offensive Rookie Player of the Month for October after leading all rookies in completion percentage (66.7%), passing yards (870) and touchdown passes (seven). He also ranked tied for first in rushing touchdowns (two) and second in passer rating (102.7) while leading the Broncos to a 3-1 record.
Dawkins – who ended his career with the Broncos and spent three years in Denver – says the key for Nix moving forward is not to allow any mistakes he may make to affect him throughout a game.
"What you see from Bo is that with some of the creativity, he has to get the ball down the field to get first downs," says Dawkins, describing what stands out to him from Nix. "It's going to be imperative for him not to turn the ball over. That's always the case for a quarterback – especially for a rookie – and to not beat himself up too much when he makes mistakes. Because mistakes will be made. They will be made, and you can't beat yourself up to the point that it affects you on the next play on the next read, and that's going to be the learning thing for him. But from what I've seen from him and from that relationship [with Sean Payton], it seems they're clicking."
While Dawkins is high on Nix and Payton as a duo, he doesn't believe the Broncos are a playoff team. Denver has upcoming matchups against AFC contenders such as the 5-3 Baltimore Ravens, 7-0 Kansas City Chiefs and the 5-3 Atlanta Falcons in the next three weeks.
"Right now, no," Dawkins says with no hesitation when asked if the Broncos are a playoff team.
Brian Dawkins Partners with USAA, Wounded Warriors Project for 5K Ruck March
Dawkins – who is partnering up with USAA ahead of Veteran's Day – recently participated in a 5K ruck march in San Antonio, Texas, to support our nation's veterans and military communities. The event saw Dawkins join warriors from the Wounded Warrior Project carrying weighted backpacks (50-plus pounds) to symbolize the weight that people carry mentally and emotionally.
The event also saw Dawkins join warriors for a roundtable discussion on mental health. Dawkins – who has been outspoken about his dealings with mental health, depression and thoughts of suicide – detailed what was discussed.
Dawkins suggests checking in on any veterans in your family, to make sure they're doing fine mentally.
"For those individuals who have family members who have served, reach out to them, check in on them," says Dawkins. "Every once in awhile, send them a text or something like that to make sure they're OK. You never know the mind space someone can go into."
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