Colts feel Luck-y

INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck is sticking around Indianapolis for at least two more years. If Jim Irsay has his way, it will be for a whole lot longer.

The Colts surprised nobody on Thursday by announcing they would exercise the fifth-year option on their franchise quarterback, a move that guarantees him a salary of more than $16.1 million.

But before making the 25-year-old one of football’s highest-paid players, Irsay wanted to take a shot at winning another Super Bowl this season. So rather than going full throttle on Luck’s second contract, the Colts have been working the free-agent market and now will turn their attention to the draft to improve Luck’s supporting cast.

Then, Irsay & Co. will try to lock up some other key players from Luck’s rookie class. Thursday’s decision gives the front office a chance to get it all set up.

“It’s not like we don’t have conversations about a possibility, so to speak, of something,” Irsay told reporters during last month’s owner’s meetings. “But I really think the most likely scenario is going to be going into the offseason next year is when that second contract will come up. That’s the vision I have right now.”

There’s little doubt, though, that the Colts will do anything it takes to keep Luck in town. Since taking him as the No. 1 pick of the 2012 draft instead of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, Luck has started all 48 games, and led the Colts to the playoffs three straight times.