The Cleveland Browns traded Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2014. Richardson will take over as Indy’s lead back, moving Ahmad Bradshaw into a backup role. Bradshaw became the full-time back following Vick Ballard’s season-ending knee injury, but his stint as the star was brief.
The trade was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Earlier on Wednesday, Colts owner Jim Irsay hinted on Twitter that a massive trade was coming that was going to alter the landscape of the NFL. Unlike past instances where he has made a huge deal out of nothing, Irsay was not exaggerating.
This day of MONSTER TRADE,The Tidal Wave Of Deal making…Shocks the system of "..Didn't see THIS ONE COMING!!!!!!" Grig's Rollin' Dice!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) September 18, 2013
Trades like this are incredibly rare after the start of the NFL season. By trading Richardson, the Browns will almost certainly be bad enough to land a top-five pick in the 2014 draft. They’ll then have another first-rounder later on, depending on how the Colts finish the season.
Related: Willis McGahee, Chris Ogbonnaya fantasy backs to pick up after trade
