Bill Belichick flags "mentality" issue after Anthony Richardson tapped out of Texans game
Bill Belichick has ripped into Anthony Richardson after the QB tapped out in the third quarter against the Texans in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season and asked to be replaced by the backup quarterback. The Colts were trailing by 10 points at that time in a crucial AFC South divisional matchup and it seems that the former Patriots coach was not too happy with what he saw from the young player.
Having worked with Tom Brady to establish a dynasty, Bill Belichick could certainly cite some great examples of how a starting quarterback is supposed to behave, in his opinion. He also namechecked Vinny Testaverde and Matt Cassel as he said that all these players worked hard with their conditioning and strength, something that he implied was doubtful that Anthony Richardson. Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, the famed coach commented:
"Brady's not fast either, but he worked. Testaverde worked, Matt Cassel worked, like those guys, really worked hard, and they were about as good as they could be. And so conditioning was never an issue with those guys, because they ran the hill after practice with everybody else. They lifted with everybody else."
Bill Belichick added that the biggest problem with the situation was that quarterbacks are supposed to be the leaders on the field. Casting shade at Anthony Richardson's mentality, the former Patriots general manager noted:
"And so I do think that there's a mentality about the quarterbacks that you know you need to be, maybe not the best condition player on the team, but you know, honestly, you should be in really good condition as a quarterback, just as a leader."
Questions surround Anthony Richardson amid Bill Belichick's comments
Bill Belichick has the authority to question Anthony Richardson's mental and physical fitness to lead given what he has accomplished as a head coach and general manager in the NFL. That is why many are waiting to hear what the Colts think about their designated franchise quarterback's actions in the game against the Texans.
One thing to consider is that the player is coming off of injuries to his shoulder last season and a hip issue earlier in 2024. Joe Flacco, his backup, had flagged his reticence to leave the game when he suffered the latter injury, saying:
“I’ve been in that spot once. It was my last year in Baltimore. I hurt my hip and, man, I did not wanna let Lamar (Jackson) get out there. That’s for sure. That was my team, and that was very hard."
Those prior comments could indicate why Anthony Richardson is protecting himself better and seeing himself out of the game when he is not feeling a hundred percent.