We’ve looked at the stunning Trent Richardson trade from the Browns’ perspective, we’ll soon look at it from the Colts’ perspective.
For now, let’s look at it from the money perspective.
Per a source with knowledge of Richardson’s contract, the Browns avoid $6.6 million in future payments by trading Richardson. All of the money is fully guaranteed, with no offset language. Which means the cash will be getting paid in full.
The Browns already have paid Richardson $13.8 million, via his signing bonus ($13.3 million), his 2012 base salary ($390,000), and two game checks under his 2013 base salary ($1.327 million).
Richardson counts for roughly $3.5 million against the Browns’ cap in 2013. Come next year, the Browns will absorb a cap charge of $6.67 million.
It’s a lot of money to pay for 17 games, but it’s a lot less than they would have paid under the pre-2011 rookie compensation system, which would have made the trade impossible, given the cap hit.