Colts

Colts Can Walk Away From Guarantees In Trent Richardson’s Contract Following Suspension

January 23, 2015

Colts GM Ryan Grigson was asked about RB Trent Richardson‘s future with the team on Friday, but he would not comment on the matter.

“Where’s he fit? Where’s he going? Is his arrow up, down, sideways, 45-degree angle?” Grigson said, via Mike Wells of ESPN. “And we have to figure all these things out with guys in all different types of situations on this roster. There are guys across the board that are in a lot of different situations. But, again, when the coaches come back, when we seeing what’s actually out there — we have an idea, draft, juniors that have declared and things like that — once that evolves we’ll have a much better feel for what we need to do.”

Grigson did, however, tell reporters that Richardson was suspended two games for missing the team’s walk through last weekend. This means that Richardson would miss the Colts regular season opener in 2015 if he were to be retained for another year.

The fact that Richardson received a suspension has some wondering if this would allow the Colts to get out of their contract without paying him the guaranteed money included in his contract.

According to former Buccaneers GM and current ESPN analyst Mark Dominik, the Colts will in fact be able to walk way from the $3.18 million included Richardson’s contract next year.

Dominik mentions that Richardson’s contract includes “strong voiding language.”

This is interesting because Wells spoke to a league official who told him that Richardson is guaranteed $3.18 million in salary next season.

Assuming Dominik is correct about Richardson’s guarantees voiding, it would seem like a no-brainer for the Colts to waive in him in the coming weeks.

Richardson, 24, has clearly fallen out of favor with the Colts just a little over a year and half after they sent a first-round pick to the Browns in return for the former No. 3 overall pick.

In 2014, he ran for 519 yards on 159 carries (3.3 YPC) to go along with 27 receptions for 229 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 29 running back out of 57 qualifying players.