Trent Richardson Released by Colts: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

It’s in with the new (Frank Gore) and out with the old (Trent Richardson) for the Indianapolis Colts rushing attack this offseason.  

The team officially announced on its website Thursday that it waived Richardson. The former Alabama running back came to Indianapolis in 2013 via a trade from the Cleveland Browns but never really had the impact the Colts were looking for next to quarterback Andrew Luck.

ESPN's Mike Wells reported why the Colts were able to avoid paying him $3.1M next season: 

He finished with 977 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns in 29 games for the Colts, which isn’t exactly the type of production one would expect from the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Richardson spoke about the news to ESPN's Mike Wells and remained confident in his abilities, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.   

"Me and the GM didn’t see eye to eye," he said. "My next step, I’ll be the starter. Indy didn’t fit me."

Indianapolis finished first in the NFL in passing yards in 2014 but only 22nd in rushing yards. That disparity made it much easier for opposing defenses to focus in on stopping Luck and the dynamic passing attack. Richardson didn't give the offense a second dimension, which was part of Indianapolis' downfall in the postseason (Richardson didn’t play in the playoffs).

Dion Caputi of nationalfootballpost.com outlines what he believes will be the next step for Richardson: 

The hope in Indianapolis is that the newly signed Gore can be much more effective on the ground in 2015 than Richardson was in 2013 and 2014.