The Indianapolis Colts have signed Andre Johnson to a free agent deal, as ESPN reports that the team has signed him to a three year contract and this comes after interest from the Seahawks, New England Patriots and Packers and after the Colts already brought in Frank Gore in free agency for Andrew Luck, meaning Trent Richardson could be on the way out.
The Colts are coming into the offseason after making strong progress in 2015, with Andrew Luck leading the team to the AFC championship before losing to the Patriots. The team played in that game without running back Trent Richardson and now his future with the Colts could be up in the air. Richardson was suspended following his absence from a team walkthrough during the playoffs and the Indianapolis Star now reports that he missed the team flight at the time due to a family emergency involving his girlfriend, who was pregnant.
According to the Indianapolis Star, Richardson was suspended for two games following those issues and that extends from the end of last season into Week 1 of 2015. The report also says that Richardson's salary, which was guaranteed at $3.184 million, could be voided by the team. Richardson has had a disappointing run since coming to the Colts and adding insult to injury, Richardson dealt with weight trouble last season for the Colts. According to Mike Wells at ESPN.com, Richardson went up to at least 240 lbs last season from his usual 225 and he also did not work hard on his conditioning.
Ahmad Bradshaw is a free agent and with Richardson's problems, the Colts could have a totally new backfield next season. Dan Herron stepped up with Richardson out and Bradshaw injured, and the colts now have Gore in on a contract. Gore had some talks with the 49ers but he did not return.
Gore is past 30 and with Carlos Hyde showing promise last season, the Colts jumped in and now he has a starting role in 2015. CSN Bay Area reports that Gore could have been a target for the Redskins, while Bleacher Report has reported that he likely will end up with the Colts and boom, it happened. Luck had a strong season throwing the ball, but the offense could use a more consistent rushing attack if the team wants to continue trending upward. The Indianapolis Colts may look at the release or trade of Trent Richardson after his suspension at the end of last season and if that happens, the team could go for more depth at the position behind Gore.
