Trent Richardson’s NFL career is not dead yet.
According to Matt Zenitz of al.com, he’s set to sign a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens, pending a physical.
The running back has been the butt of many a joke since being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.
His rookie campaign with Cleveland wasn’t bad statistically, but just a year later the Browns happily shipped Richardson off to the Indianapolis Colts for their first-round pick. There in Indy, his struggles with weight and production became widely criticized, and his legendary lack of vision became a popular Internet meme.
Stevie wonder did better on his vision test than Trent Richardson pic.twitter.com/1E8SCdDhul
— UNFORTUNATE SIXERS FAN (@Lotto_Rocket) August 31, 2015
It was widely assumed that his career was finished after failing to even make the final roster with the Oakland Raiders in training camp last summer.
Bill Williamson, who covered the Raiders for ESPN last year, explained why:
“He looked like a small, ordinary running back. He struggled to show much vision, cutting ability and burst. Those are all things essential for a great running back, and often reserved for those taken high in the draft.
“Trent Richardson just wasn’t that guy in Oakland. He deserved to be cut in the round of 75, as he was Tuesday, because he was just a guy.”
In three seasons in the NFL (2012-14), Richardson averaged a paltry 3.3 yards per carry but did show a nose for the end zone with 17 rushing scores.
Perhaps his ability to punch in the ball near the goal line is the reason he is getting another chance in the NFL. Baltimore did struggle in this department last season, rushing just eight times for touchdowns as a team.
The good news for the Ravens is that Richardson will surely be cheap. It was considered a major coup for the running back when his deal with Oakland last year included $600,000 in guaranteed money. He won’t likely have much — if any — money guaranteed this time around, meaning it’s a low- to no-risk deal for Baltimore.