Redskins WR Paul Richardson hopeful for comeback season in 2019

For Redskins WR Paul Richardson, 2018 was a season filled with injuries and lost opportunities.  He hopes that will change in the new year as he is back healthy, and hopeful for a comeback in 2019.

At the Bon Secours Redskins Training Facility in Richmond, several of Paul Richardson’s teammates at wide receiver have taken center stage in training camp. Whether it’s a highlight reel catch, a well-run route, or staying after practice to get extra work in, the wide receiver core as a whole is seeking to make an impact on the Redskins in the upcoming season.

But thus far, one player who has remained quiet is Richardson.

Richardson, now entering his sixth year in the NFL, signed with the Redskins in free agency before the start of the 2018 season. His reported terms were five years and $40 million. Despite high hopes, he only played in seven games in his inaugural season with the Redskins.

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While Richardson’s production was minimal due to injuries, he did produce a highlight-reel play during the 2018  campaign that came in the form of a 46-yd touchdown catch from QB Alex Smith against the Green Bay Packers. The speedy Richardson displayed what could have been when he split the Packers defensive secondary downfield, and caught the ball as he crossed the goal-line.  This would end up being a key touchdown in the game as the Redskins were able to beat the favored Packers 31-17.

Unfortunately for Richardson, he would not be able to finish the season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

The 27-yr-old Richardson felt horrible about the way the 2018 season turned out after signing such a lucrative contract in free agency. Per 106.7 The Fan’s Craig Hoffman, Richardson discussed the challenges and difficulties he has faced since undergoing surgery. He explained during the interview that his first season as a Redskin was a “trying year.”

Beyond that, he said “I wanted to make a big impression on this team, on this offense, on this fan base, in this division, and it just didn’t work out like that,” and “I was trying to push through, to try to help the team as much as I could before I needed to get to surgery to prepare for next season.”  He understands that he did not live up to his own expectations, nor the team’s expectations in his first season with the club.

In 2017, Richardson was able to produce his best season to date as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, hauling in a career high 44 catches for 703 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

While Richardson has only posted modest numbers through the entirety of his career, the former University of Colorado product has amassed more combined receptions, yards, and touchdowns than all of the receivers on the current Redskins roster who are expected to make the team in 2019. This includes players such as Josh Doctson, Terry McLaurin, Kelvin Harmon, Trey Quinn, Cam Sims, and Robert Davis. The elder statesmen of the group will need to be a leader and mentor to the younger, and more inexperienced players at the position.

While Richardson is looking to make a comeback of his own this season, he also understands his place on the team. He must take the lead with this young and inexperienced receiving group, and put up the production needed for a player of his caliber and contract status.  No matter who is starting at quarterback for the burgundy and gold, Richardson must show them that he is fully healthy and capable of producing at a high level.

But until he does, don’t call it a comeback just yet.