The Trent Richardson trade was a success. If the objective was to light a fire under 2009 first-round tailback Donald Brown.
As Richardson struggled for the Colts, Brown thrived. And with the Colts now forced to justify giving up a first-round pick for Richardson, Brown has exited.
Brown has joined the Chargers, as initially reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. A source with knowledge of the deal tells PFT that Brown’s agreed to the three-year contract, with a base value of $10.5 million. Of that amount, $4 million in guaranteed.
It’s roughly the same deal that former Vikings running back Toby Gerhart signed with the Jaguars. And it proves that the market for veteran running backs continues to reside in the same range as the top of the market for kickers.
Chargers G.M. Tom Telesco worked for the Colts when Brown was drafted. He joins a depth chart that includes Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead.