The Browns have reportedly stayed in contact with Richardson since releasing him and the two sides are regarded as being amicable.
The timing of this news release at least seems deliberate.
The Browns are a team where their willingness to pay a little more for Richardson might depend on how they feel about their defensive tackle rotation.
If the Browns aren’t confident in what they can get from Togiai or Wilson this year, they might be inclined to bring back Richardson.
Perhaps the Vikings are about to sign Richardson to a deal, but it feels like a bit of a fishing expedition by an agent trying to create a market.
But when the Browns made the decision to draft Togiai and then sign Wilson with guaranteed money that effectively makes him a draft pick, it seemed like the chances of a Richardson return were getting pretty slim.