Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay teased fans Wednesday on Twitter, promising a shocking trade. He delivered.
The Coltsacquired running backTrent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday in exchange for their 2014 first-round draft pick. Just one year after the Browns drafted Richardson No. 3 overall, the team's new regime has given up on him. The Browns are loading up on 2014 draft picks.
How did Richardson react to the news?
"He was shocked, upset," NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a person close to Richardson. "He loved Cleveland. But slowly, he's understanding the benefits in Indy."
It's a stunning move: Richardson was considered the centerpiece of the Browns' offense. But new coach Rob Chudzinski, new general manager Michael Lombardi and new CEO Joe Banner clearly decided he no longer fit their plans.
The Colts' offense gets a much-needed boost after losing running back Vick Ballard and tight end Dwayne Allen for the season. General manager Ryan Grigson has shown a penchant for making trades and swinging for the fences since he hit town, with positive results. The Colts' backfield, which looked so questionable, now looks like a strength with Ahmad Bradshaw backing up Richardson.
Lombardi will take a lot of heat for this move. The Colts were a playoff team last season, so the draft pick might not be particularly high in the first round. And yet the Browns still didn't want to keep Richardson. Rapoport reported that the Browns will bring in Willis McGahee on Thursday and plan to sign him if he passes a physical. Bobby Rainey -- who doesn't have a regular-season carry in his NFL career -- looks like the team's possible starter.
Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden summed up how a lot of Cleveland fans probably are feeling.
"Shocked, man," Weeden told NFL Media's Jeff Darlington in a text message Wednesday. "That's all I can say."
We don't think it's that crazy of a trade for Cleveland. Richardson has struggled with injuries since he entered the league and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He said it was "kind of a shocker" that he wasn't used more often in the Browns' season opener. We can only imagine how shocked he is after this.
And to think: We believed Brian Hoyerstarting at quarterback would be the big news in Cleveland on Wednesday.
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