The Indianapolis Colts could be an active team this offseason after losing in the playoffs and the team could look at adding players like Jeremy Maclin, Cecil Short, DeMarco Murray or CJ Spiller and this comes as Trent Richardson's future is up in the air, at the team may trade or release him after his suspension to end the year.
The Colts are set to have a decent amount of cap money in 2015 and they could free up some more by cutting players in March and April. According to ESPN.com, the team may look at locking up Andrew Luck with a long term deal now, as that could set up the team to make free agent moves over the next few seasons. Pro Football Talk reported on Richardson's suspension at the end of the season and now his future with the team is up in the air after getting passed over for Dan Herron and Zurlon Tipton this season.
Richardson had one carry against the Bengals in the playoffs and then was not activated for the divisional playoffs against the Broncos. Richardson was reportedly suspended for the playoff game against the Patriots and would have been for the Super Bowl if the team made it there. ESPN reports that the suspension will extend to Week 1 if Richardson is with the team next season and now the team could get rid of him since the suspension voids the guaranteed his rookie deal. The suspension has some consequences for Richardson and could lead to his departure in 2015, with his release looking like the likely move.
Last year Richardson had 519 yards rushing and three touchdowns and that came after he put up 563 yards and three TDs in 2013. Richardson was strong as a rookie after rushing for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns and he also added 51 catches for 367 yards. The Colts may look at free agent options on the market like Mark Ingram or CJ Spiller to replace Richardson, while Jeremy Maclin could help replace Wayne if he retires.
Wayne is 36 years old and his production has been slipping over the past few years and if he returns to the Colts, it likely will be in a reserve role. Wayne dealt with an ACL injury before this season and he comes in after putting up 64 catches for 779 yards and two TDs this season. Wayne last was elite back in 2012 with 106 catches for 1355 yards and five TDs, but that likely was his last hurrah and now he could come back as a mentor player for the Colts. TY Hilton and Donte Moncrief now appear to be the top two passing options for Andrew Luck.
The Colts rushing attack has not been their strong suit over the past couple years and now that Richardson has been suspended, he likely will not factor into things in 2015. Richardson lost his starting job last year to Donald Brown and he has mostly been ineffective in two years with the team. Richardson has never rushed for 100-yards in a game with the Colts and has just 977 yards in 29 games over the last two seasons since coming over from the Cleveland Browns.