Trent Richardson Signs with Raiders

According to Scott Blair of CSN California, the Oakland Raiders are reportedly signing recently released Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson:

The soon-to-be 4th year running back was a colossal bust with the Colts and will look to rebuild his career presumably with the “silver and black” of the Oakland Raiders. It seems fitting given that Richardson was ousted out of Indianapolis, and Oakland is often the hotbed for NFL miscasts and often ill-advised attempts at resurrected careers.

Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Still, it does show that even given an ineffective season, there was still legitimate interest in Richardson given that he managed to sign a contract with a new NFL team this quickly. The Raiders are hoping that the talent is still there that once made Richardson the 3rd overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft of the Cleveland Browns and even led to a promising rookie season.

However, buyer beware, as Richardson is coming off a dismal season in which he rushed for just 519 rushing yards on 159 carries for a meager 3.3 yards per carry average. Every Colts running back from Donald Brown to Zurlon Tipton outperformed Richardson during his tenure with the team, and there’s legitimate questions of how serious his work ethic is off the field as he battled weight issues all season.

Fortunately, the Colts no longer have to worry about such a headache next season, with their biggest concern being now whether they’ll be actually freed of paying Richardson his $3.18 million of the last year of his rookie contract given his grievance. However, the team’s ground game is in much safer hands for at least the immediate future with the high-profile signing of longtime San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Richardson can resurrect his career with the Oakland Raiders or whether it will simply be more of the same, lackluster production.

Update (1:07): Looks like it’s official.