Riders respond to rumours of contract with former NFL star

The rumour was quashed almost as quick as it was spread.

Early Tuesday, 3 Down Nation reported that former NFL running back Trent Richardson was on his way to Saskatchewan to finalize a contract.

However, just hours later it was reported Richardson had changed his mind.

Roughriders’ head coach Chris Jones addressed the rumours after practice on Tuesday.

“I don’t even care,” Jones said. “I’m trying to beat the Edmonton Eskimos. If he gets here that’s great, he’ll help our football team, but right now it doesn’t even matter to me.”

Jones said that Richardson was on the team’s negotiation list. He added there had been discussions with the running back and his representation to have him come to Saskatchewan.

Richardson was a rock star rusher for the University Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2011, he amassed 1,679 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns, finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and ran for 96 yards and a touchdown in the National Championships.

Richardson went on to be the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. In his rookie year with the Browns, he rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 361 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

He was traded to the Colts and fizzled out, producing about half as much he had in his first year in 2013 and 2014.

It was reported by AL.com that Richardson balked at the idea of having to sign an option year in the CFL – which is league mandated for rookies – that would keep him tied up in Canada until the end of 2018.

Coach Jones didn’t mince his words.

“A lot of these people think that we’re in the business of developing NFL players, that’s what we’re not in the business of doing, we’re in the business of winning CFL football games,” he said.

As for if the running back may ever sport the green and white: Jones isn’t holding his breath.

“He was supposed to be up here already, he’s not here, so we’ll see if he ever gets up here to play.”