Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay teased fans Wednesday on Twitter, promising a shocking trade. He delivered.
The Colts acquired running back Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday in exchange for the Colts' 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.
It's a stunning move considering that Richardson was considered the centerpiece of the offense. But new coach Rob Chudzinski, new general manager Michael Lombardi and new COO Joe Banner clearly decided that 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. Their 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 a year ago, so the draft pick might not be particularly high in the first round. And yet the Browns still didn't want to keep Richardson. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Browns will bring in Willis McGahee on Wednesday, and plan to sign him if he passes a physical. Bobby Rainey -- who doesn't have a carry in his career -- looks like the team's possible starter.
We don't think it's that crazy a trade for Cleveland. Richardson has struggled with injuries since he entered the league and has averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He's said it was "kind of a shocker" that he wasn't used more often in the season opener. We can only imagine how shocked he'll be after this.
And to think: We thought Brian Hoyer starting at quarterback would be the big news in Cleveland on Wednesday.