APAs expected, the Browns have worked out a contract with the third overall pick in the draft.
Running back Trent Richardson has agreed to terms, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The contract pays Richardson a signing bonus of $13.341 million, along with base salaries of $390,000 in 2012, $1.321 million in 2013, $2.252 million in 2014, and $3.184 million in 2015.
Like all first-round picks, the team holds an option for the fifth-year. The Browns will be able to retain Richardson’s rights for 2016 by offering the average of the ten highest paid running backs in 2015.
The contract is fully-guaranteed, with no offset language.
The Browns moved up from the fourth pick to No. 3 to get Richardson, whom they hope will have an instant impact on the team’s running game — in turn opening up the passing game.
To get the most out of the running game and the passing game, the Browns need to get their other first-round pick signed. Quarterback Brandon Weeden, the 22nd pick in the draft, reportedly wants his four-year deal to be fully guaranteed. It’s a fairly smart move, given that there could be a new regime in Cleveland by 2015 — and Weeden could be getting the same treatment that 2010 third-rounder Colt McCoy is about to get.
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Yes! Welcome to CLE, Mr. Richardson!
Now we wait for Jim Brown to make an annoying comment. Other than that, happy Ramadan everybody.
Its about time, now sign Weeden and get on with it. no missed camp time Browns!! Don’t be morons!!
Don’t worry Trent. You can leave in five years if they don’t slap the franchise tag on you!
Ooops. Six years. My bad. Sorry man.
Now lock up Weeden and get this new offense going!
Not saying I’m a Browns fan by any stretch, but if they can acquire a few GOOD WR’s……..who knows?
They will need to find a way to take the pressure off Richardson. He should be a VERY EXCITING back to watch carry the rock for many years!
Now get Weeden in.
Welcome to HELL !
Nice!!!
glad for the brown fans this year…they have hope that things could be different this year.
Now its time to get busy Mr. Richardson. I see years and years of daylight for u in Cle.veland, ohio. GO BROWNS
#3 overall pick. Had such high expectations. Then he gets drafted to Cleveland. Wonder how he feels knowing his career is basically over before he’s ever stepped on the field.
Sweet! Now it’s time to put up and make Jim Brown shut up!
Did Jim Brown approve of this?
T- is now Rich $ Browns town!!!!
I hope we look back at this Draft Class as the turning point for this franchise! Let’s be “respectable” this year, “decent/pretty good” next year and build to “great” by 2014-2015. By then the Steelers will be old, Ravens,….aging ,….
No one cares Cleveland fan
Here we go Brownies. Here we go. Woof Woof.
As a Ravens fan I look forward to seeing him 2x a year. Should be exciting.
2015? This is the Cleveland Browns we’re talking about, Weeden will be second string by 2013 and traded before that season is up. At least that’s what Tim Couch, Charlie Frye and Brady Quinn told me will happen.
Can someone explain what “offset language” means please
What treatment is that, Florio? The “if you stink and your dad is a loudmouth then we don’t want you” treatment?
I feel so bad for the kid.. his career is over before it has started in Cleveland.. what a toilet
Good news is that you will get your own ESPN special when you take your talents elsewhere.
A new era begins for the Browns. T-Rich deal is done… Next up is Brandon Weedon.
Here we go again. The first reference to a “new regime” coming to the Browns. Say it isn’t so, we need this one to work out. #stoptherevolvingdoor
Jim Brown needs an explanation.
Funny how they went from not even talking to a deal not even 48 hours later. I swear.
Super Bowl…
mwpugs says:
Jul 23, 2012 10:56 PM
Can someone explain what “offset language” means please
As I understand it the offset is when a player goes to another team they will only be owed the difference between the salary from their current team and their new team so if there was offset language in the contract if Cleveland cut him and the next team pays him less. Cleveland will only owe him the difference in the salaries.
Since there is no offset and his contract is fully guaranteed even if Cleveland cuts him he will still get the full amount owed on the rest of the contract even if he goes to play for someone else.
I agree with Jim Brown.
The Browns bought into a weak draft class and walked away with a glorified Marshawn Lynch and a 30 year old QB.
I don’t know how hard they’re trying to compile the worst roster in the league, but that’s the only thing they seem to be succeeding in doing.
Team is still irrelevant..
Super Bowl
Don’t worry, it’s still Cleveland and it’s still the Browns. Richardson will be a decent running back but the Browns will find a way to hose things up as usual.
They are still at least a decade away from being relevant.
Richardson has 50 times the work ethic that Marshawn Lynch has shown throughout his career. His IQ is also about 80 points higher, and he has not shown any propensity to get into trouble. He will be very successful.