Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has admitted that the off-season will be "very important" for running back Trent Richardson.

The Colts traded their first-round pick in the 2014 Draft for Richardson from the Cleveland Browns, but he struggled to make an impact for the club in the 2013 season.

Backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard are due to return to the fold for the club after missing the 2013 season, which could limit the 22-year-old's carries in Andrew Luck's offense.

"It's going to be very, very important for [Richardson] to be here for the off-season program and to dive into this thing full steam ahead, which he will," Pagano told the club's website.

"He wants to be great. He's got all the talent. He's got all the ability. We would have never done what we did if we didn't believe that deep down in our core. So we look for him to have a great off-season and to have a great 2014 campaign."

Richardson ran for 563 yards along with three touchdowns in the 2013 season.