If Trent Richardson has a redemption moment in the NFL, it won't come with the Oakland Raiders.
Richardson was let go Tuesday as the Raiders got down to the 75-man limit. The former No. 3 overall pick's exit comes five months after he signed a two-year deal with the team that included $600,000 in guaranteed money.
Richardson -- as was the case with the Browns and Colts -- never found his way in Oakland. He began training camp on the non-football injury (NFI) list and gained just 42 yards on 18 carries across three preseason games. The lack of production was in line with his paltry 3.3 yards per carry average in his first three seasons.
The timing of Richardson's release is telling. The veteran was part of Oakland's first round of cuts, an indicator that the Raiders didn't struggle with the decision. Latavius Murray, Taiwan Jones, Roy Helu and Marcel Reece all proved themselves to be better roster options at running back.
There's a very real chance that Richardson has run out of chances in the NFL. Still just 25, Richardson has time on his side, but three teams have now given up on him since he entered the league in 2012. Perhaps a team in need reaches out to Richardson, but where's the tape that tells them it's a good idea?
This feels like the end.
