Indianapolis Colts Finally Release Trent Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts finally waived running back Trent Richardson, marking the end to what was a disastrous trade for the team. While it was speculated all offseason that Richardson would be released, the team finally wiped their hands off the disappointing 3rd year running back after being reportedly very unhappy. The move will save the Colts $3.18 million in cap space that the team can use immediately.

Sep 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) reacts after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium. Philadelphia defeats Indianapolis 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Since being acquired by the Cleveland Browns in a 2013 trade that the saw the Colts surrender their 2014 first round pick, Richardson was overweight and showed little burst or explosion. He frequently would pick the wrong holes, and even though the Colts offensive line wasn’t great by any means in run blocking, every other Colts running back from Donald Brown to Zurlon Tipton would frequently outperform him.

This past season, Richardson was once again largely ineffective. He rushed on 159 carries for 519 rushing yards, resulting in a meager 3.3 yards per carry average. Because of his lackluster play, Richardson eventually lost his starting job and the majority of the carries to 3rd-string running back Dan Herron after Ahmad Bradshaw‘s season-ending injury in Week 11.

Tensions between him and the Colts escalated, when Richardson failed to meet his weight check and was declared inactive for the team’s Divisional Round playoff game against the Denver Broncos. However, they ultimately reached a boiling point, when Richardson missed the team’s walk-through leading up to the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots without an explanation to the team until well after the fact. Richardson was subsequently declared inactive and didn’t make the team flight.

Regarding his release, Richardson reportedly told ESPN.com (via Mike Wells):

"“I was expecting this,” Richardson said. “It just didn’t work out. I’m not saying anything bad about the program, but that program just didn’t fit me at all. Me and the GM didn’t see eye to eye. It was a bad marriage for us.”"

However, Richardson still believes his best is still yet to come and strongly believes he’ll be able to shake off any bust label, by citing the Seattle Seahawks Marshawn Lynch as an example:

"“I’ll be one of the top running backs from here on out,” Richardson said. “They ruled Marshawn Lynch off in his third year. Look at what he’s doing now. My next stop, I’ll be the starter. I still have my pride and I know who I am.”"

Whether that turns out to be true, it will no longer be for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts grew tired of Richardson’s play and conduct off-the-field, and with Frank Gore now in the fold, no longer need to depend on Richardson for anything.

While he’ll likely file a grievance to try to regain some of the forfeited $3.18 million in what was originally guaranteed salary, deemed now lost because of “conduct detrimental to the team”, either way his time as a member of the Indianapolis Colts is effectively over.

Colts fans can safely move on by watching Frank Gore and try to forget the “Trent Richardson at running back” era of Colts football.

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