Running back Trent Richardson has officially signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
The agreement, as reported by AL.com, represents the completion of a three-month process which began with Richardson—a former No. 3 overall pick—working out for the Ravens back in February. An “unofficial agreement” between the two sides became official Monday, when Richardson worked out for the team and then signed a contract.
According to AL.com, Richardson hit weight goals set by the Ravens as conditions of the agreement becoming official. Now, the former Heisman Trophy winner will get one last chance to salvage an NFL career that started strong but soured quickly.
Taken third overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2012, Richardson rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. He was then surprisingly traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick ahead of the 2013 season, and his career never recovered. He failed to hit 600 yards or average 4.0 yards per carry during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, which led the Colts to release him.
A stint in Oakland during the summer of 2015 ended with the Raiders cutting him ahead of the regular season. Despite workouts with the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos at various points last year, Richardson did not play a single snap in 2015.
Richardson admitted to AL.com last month that laziness played a big part in his fall.
“It’s very easy to get lazy in the NFL — not having everything scheduled and not having everything like at Alabama where it was so structured,” Richardson said. “We had study hall or we had to get a workout in in between classes and had five classes a day. It was just so structured. In the NFL, everything’s on your own.”
Despite his own self awareness, Richardson could have a tough time making the Ravens roster. Baltimore currently has Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West and Terrence McGee at running back. The former Alabama star will need a huge summer to earn his spot.
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