Report: Browns Trade RB Trent Richardson To The Colts

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Browns have traded RB Trent Richardson to the Colts in return for 2014 first-round pick.

• Jay Glazer reports that the Browns traded Richardson because he didn’t fit into HC Rob Chudzinski offensive system.
• Jason La Canfora reports that the Browns will sign free agent RB Willis McGahee if he passes a physical.
• The Browns have already paid Richardson $13.88 million and he’ll count $6.67 million against their cap in 2014. (Brian McIntrye)
• The Colts will owe Richardson $6.602 million over the course of three years, which is fully guaranteed. (Brian McIntrye)
• Cleveland now has two picks in in each of Rounds one, three and four next season.
• Talks with the Colts started on Tuesday, according to CEO Joe Banner.

Browns CEO Joe Banner on the Richardson trade:

“Trent’s a great player and we expect him to have success in this league,” said Banner. “Right now, based on how we’re building this team for sustainable success, we’re going to be aggressive and do what it takes to assemble a team that consistently wins.”

 Colts GM Ryan Grigson on the Richardson trade:

“We need people who can get us yards, can keep defenses honest,” said Grigson. “We’re going to run the football. Trent has proven he can run it.“

How did Trent Richardson react? I’m told he was shocked, upset. He loved Cleveland. But slowly, he’s understanding the benefits in Indy

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2013

Jim Irsay wasn’t kidding about this being a “monster trade.” It’s almost shocking to think that the Browns traded one of the most talented young running backs in the game just one season after moving up for him in the 2012 draft.

Richardson has dealt with some knee issues in the past and it’s clear that the Browns new front office doesn’t value the running back position all that much. Clearly, the Browns are focused on building through the 2014 draft, which probably is a bad sign for Brandon Weeden.

As for the Colts, Richardson may need a week to get involved in the team’s offense, and the fact that they’ll be on the road against the 49ers suggests that they may keep Ahmad Bradshaw in place as their starting running back.

OC Pep Hamilton reportedly wants a power running game similar to what he ran at Stanford and Richardson figures to fit that mold quite well.

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Here’s Colts owner Jim Irsay’s tweet suggesting that they have a trade in the works.

This day of MONSTER TRADE,The Tidal Wave Of Deal making…Shocks the system of “..Didn’t see THIS ONE COMING!!!!!!” Grig’s Rollin’ Dice!

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) September 18, 2013

Irsay’s been hyping this trade for the better part of half an hour now. It’s worth noting that he’s tweeted similar comments in the past regarding trades that were in the works, but ultimately fell through. He also tweeted something similar when the Colts signed WR Darrius Heyward-Bey.

The Colts just placed TE Dwayne Allen on season-ending injured reserve and lost Vick Ballard for the season not too long ago. They could also some offensive line help as well, so we’ll have to see if anything comes of this.

We’ll have more as the news is available.