Colts still coming to terms with Luck’s retirement

Owner Jim Irsay admits the Indianapolis Colts are still in mourning over the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck in August 2019.

“I don’t think you ever quite come to terms with that,” Irsay said. “He’s a special guy. He’s a special guy for your organization, only 29 years old. I told him, ‘Andrew, this is a free country and I respect your decision.’ I would never want to talk someone out of that because the way this game is played: It is not a contact sport; it is a collision sport. It’s a tough game.”

Luck leaving shortly before the start of the NFL season pushed the Colts to make a pledge to Jacoby Brissett, who signed a two-year contract worth US$30 million. But with several prominent freeagent quarterbacks and a draft rich in passing potential, the Colts are also shopping for help at the position.

Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Marcus Mariota and Nick Foles are among the options the Colts could consider. Foles is under contract for three more seasons with Jacksonville but his contract could push him toward the open market.

“We’ll keep evaluating that position,” Irsay said. “I know we’ll find the right answer and Jacoby can have a much higher ceiling than he has now. That’s a possibility. We could draft someone. That’s a possibility. We’ll see what happens, but obviously that’s the position that’s very important.”

Closing the door on Luck isn’t in Irsay’s nature. He admitted there is part of him that wonders “what if ” when it comes to Luck feeling revived after a season away.

“I try to make the argument (with him) also, ‘What about the $700 million you’re leaving on the table?’ ” he said with a laugh.