The Trent Richardson trade was a landscape-changing move by the Cleveland Browns, but it wasn't the only sign Wednesday of the team distancing itself from a prior regime.
Before Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson erased what was left of the Mike Holmgren era by acquiring Richardson, Browns coach Rob Chudzinski hinted that Brandon Weeden's future also might be in doubt.
The clues came during the first of what eventually became two Wednesday news conferences. Chudzinski named Brian Hoyer the Week 3 starting quarterback, then made no guarantees Weeden would have a starting job to come back to when his right thumb is healthy.
"That we'll get to," Chudzinski said, via the Browns' official website. "We'll evaluate where Brandon is at and everything else week to week."
"I'm going to leave all of the options open," he added. "It's a matter of where he's at from a health standpoint -- all of that plays into it -- where we're at and how guys are playing, as well."
Chudzinski later was asked if starting Hoyer over Jason Campbell sent a negative message.
"There wasn't a lot of separation between all three of those guys," he said. "As I mentioned before, I have a lot of confidence in all of them. What I want to do is give us the best chance to win and put the guy out there and put the guys out there that give us the best chance to win for this week."
It's not difficult to read the tea leaves here: Weeden is extremely vulnerable. If Hoyer plays well in his audition this week, don't be surprised if he continues to start. If he struggles, don't be shocked if Campbell steps in.
The ground is moving beneath Weeden's feet. Chudzinski's comments were the tremors, Richardson's trade the quake.
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