A slew of 2012 top ten draft picks are coming to terms with their respective teams as training camp rapidly approaches, but The Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reports there’s still no movement on a deal for Trent Richardson. Both Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck inked their new rookie contracts this week, setting up the Richardson domino to fall shortly thereafter. Cabot reports that “offset language” appears to be the holdup in making Richardson official:
Offset language is believed to be the only real issue with Richardson’s contract, because the total amount of the deal and signing bonus are pretty well set under the new rookie slotting system. The contract will also be fully guaranteed.
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The problem for the Browns is that neither Luck, the first overall pick, nor Griffin received offset language in their contracts. Offset language allows the team that drafted a player to save some money in the event the player is released and signs with another team while still owed money by his original team.
Under the new CBA, the money and duration for rookie deals have become near formalities, with slight increases from year to year. Richardson’s contract should be just over $20 million for four years.
Training camp is set to begin next Saturday in Berea.
[Related: RG3′s deal shows the way for the Browns and Trent Richardson]
