Colts’ Luck has some good fortune
Stratford graduate’s new contract makes him highest paid
Quarterback Andrew Luck is now the Indianapolis Colts’ $140 million man after landing a blockbuster deal that was finalized Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Houston native and Stratford graduate signed a six-year contract extension that includes $87 million in guaranteed money, the richest contract in NFL history. That includes $47 million guaranteed at signing, according to NFL Players Association records.
The total value and guaranteed money both set NFL precedents, breaking the record $65 million previously given to New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. The biggest total value for an NFL contract was Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ five-year, $110 million deal signed three years ago.
Colts owner Jim Irsay reiterated several times over the past year that Luck was his primary negotiating priority, and Irsay
backed up those words Wednesday with this megadeal.
“I am thrilled and excited to continue with this great organization,” Luck said in a statement. “I am thankful to the Irsay family and Mr. Irsay for providing me with this great opportunity and the trust that they’ve shown in me. I can’t wait for this season to start.”
Salary breakdown
Luck received a $32 million signing bonus and is due a $12 million base salary this year for a total firstyear payout of $44 million. He’s due base salaries of $12 million in 2016, $7 million in 2017, $12 million in 2018, $ 9.125 million in 2019, $11 million in 2020. and $11 million in 2021.
Luck is scheduled to be a free agent again in 2022, when he’ll be just 32 years old.
Luck was originally scheduled to make $16.155 million this season under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
“This is an exciting day for the organization and Colts fans around the globe,” Irsay said in a statement. “Andrew is the consummate professional, possesses extraordinary talent and is our leader on and off the field. When you consider what this team has accomplished in four seasons with Andrew under center, you cannot help but be thrilled about the future.” Injury problems
Luck, who missed nine games last season, threw 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his seven starts, arguably the worst season of his NFL career. He dealt with rib, shoulder and abdominal injuries and missed the final seven games with a lacerated kidney. He completed just 55.3 percent of his throws.
The Colts would like Luck to incorporate more caution in his playing style to facilitate greater durability.
Luck led the Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, including a trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2014, when Indianapolis lost to the New England Patriots.
Luck has compiled the fourth-most passing yards in NFL history (14,838) over the first four seasons of a career. He has passed for 101 touchdowns and 55 interceptions with an 85.0 passer rating.
The son of former Oilers quarterback Oliver Luck, he passed for 7,139 career yards and 53 touchdowns and rushed for 2,085 yards at Stratford.
He was drafted first overall out of Stanford in 2012.