Greg Olsen has stated the NFL has a quarterback problem as he slammed the development of young players in the sport.

The Indianapolis Colts sparked discussion concerning a quarterback development problem in the league after the team announced that Anthony Richardson would be benched in favor of Joe Flacco in week eight.

Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, has endured a tough start to his NFL career having suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in his rookie year before a mixed bag this season has seen the Colts make the decision to bring 39-year-old Flacco into the team.

Olsen offered a passionate response to the debate on ‘The Ryen Russillo Podcast,’ sharing his opinion that the problem is rooted in how the role of playing quarterback is coached to young athletes far before they ever reach the elite level.

“There is no doubt, we have a quarterback problem in the NFL,” Olsen told Russillo. “I think a lot of it is manmade. Asking your quarterback to stand in the shotgun, catch the ball, and throw the ball every down is virtually impossible in today’s day and age. These guys don’t learn to get under center. They’ve never taken an under-center snap in their entire lives. Their entire lives have been 7-on-7 football. It’s been passing offense.

“I coach middle school football at my kid’s school. Of the eight games we’ve played, six of the teams never once lined up under center. Never one time had two backs in the backfield and never one time had a tight end. The best teams, they get under center, it’s play action. The reason they are doing that is because it takes the stress load off the quarterback.

Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson has been dropped by the Colts ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

“So I think there is a developmental problem in the whole pipeline of quarterbacks. From high school to college and then of course to the NFL. We want the entire game to be on their shoulders. And then we get mad when they can’t handle it at 22 years old. You can’t tell me these guys aren’t wildly talented. They need to be coached. They need to be developed. I just don’t think as a league in general we do a good job of that.”

Richardson spoke to the media after the decision was reported where he didn’t hide his disappointment. “Of course, everybody knows the news. I’m not starting this upcoming week. Of course, it hurts,” Richardson said. “As a competitor, you definitely don’t want to be told that you’re not the guy anymore, but it’s all good. I’m using this moment as an opportunity to grow and learn from my mistakes.”

Flacco won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens before his career took a journeyman’s path, signing with six teams in five years. The veteran will start the Colts trip to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.