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The Worst Trade For Every NFL Team In History

By Erik Lambert

31 Dec 1995: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers avoid pressure during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
31 Dec 1995: Quarterback Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers avoid pressure during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 19: Trent Richardson #34 of the Indianapolis Colts breaks a tackle by Jayson DiManche #51 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter on October 19, 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 19: Trent Richardson #34 of the Indianapolis Colts breaks a tackle by Jayson DiManche #51 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter on October 19, 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 19, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts

46. . RB. Indianapolis Colts. Trent Richardson . 14. player

The logic behind the trade for Trent Richardson wasn’t flawed. That at least we can be fair about. Indianapolis desperately needed a feature running back who could take heat off Andrew Luck who’d been taking too many hits when trying to pass. Richardson was a beast at Alabama and had a decent rookie year in Cleveland. It seemed too good to be true.

It was. In hindsight, a huge red flag should’ve been raised that Cleveland was willing to part with a player after just one year despite spending a #3 overall pick on him. A pick they actually traded up to get. That didn’t stop GM Ryan Grigson who gave Cleveland a 1st round pick to secure the running back he thought would solve all the Colts’ problems.

Richardson lasted less than two seasons in Indianapolis. He rushed for 977 yards and six touchdowns while averaging a gag-inducing 3.1 yards per carry. The power and authority he ran with in college weren’t there, and his vision for finding the hole was non-existent. It’s hard to say what the problem was, but it cost the Colts dearly in the long run.

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