Ravens plan to sign Trent Richardson if he can get in shape

The Baltimore Ravens are planning to sign running back Trent Richardson, but it sounds like the draft bust needs to get himself in better physical shape first.

Last month, Matt Zenitz of AL.com reported that the Ravens were expected to sign a deal with Richardson. There has still been nothing official, but Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday that he has kept in touch with Richardson and plans on him being with the team.

“I’m planning on Trent being a Raven right now,” Harbaugh told reporters at the NFL owners meetings, per the team’s official website. “We have an unofficial agreement with Trent. Hopefully, no one will come in and swoop him away from us.”

So what’s the holdup? Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports that the Ravens want Richardson to hit a “physical benchmark” before they put pen to paper. Harbaugh essentially admitted that is the case.

“It’s in Trent’s court. (Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome) and Trent have talked a lot,” he said. “I text with Trent all the time. He’s keeping me posted on his training. I’m kind of excited about it. Talking on the phone, I really liked him. He’s a high-caliber, high-draft pick guy and it seems like he’s really motivated. Wants to do well.”

We are all very familiar with Richardson’s sad story by now. The Indianapolis Colts traded a first-round pick to get Richardson from the Cleveland Browns in 2013, and it turned out to be one of the worst trades in franchise history. The details about the way Richardson’s time with the Colts ended were even more embarrassing than the former Alabama star’s stats.

The Ravens are likely going to sign Richardson, but it is hardly a guarantee that he will make the team.