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Colts Jim Irsay Optimistic About Locking Up Andrew Luck Long-term

By Luke Schultheis

Oct 25, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN’s Mike Wells, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has said there’s a “good chance” that the team will reach a long-term extension with star quarterback Andrew Luck this offseason:

"“Obviously being this early, there’s no reason to think that we would have had major negotiations yet, but that’s going to be happening as this month gets later and March comes in and all that sort of thing,” Irsay said on Tuesday. “I think there’s a good chance we’ll get something done.”"

Of course, it comes just a day after NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Colts were “confident” that a deal would be reached with Luck for the long-term during the upcoming offseason.

Irsay is well prepared to open up his enormous checking account, as Luck will likely command at least $100 million on his next contract and quite possibly become the highest paid player in NFL history:

"“Whether it’s going to be the highest and all those sort of thing we’ll see how that goes,” Irsay said. “…I see Andrew here, God willing, for a really long time and this won’t be his last contract. With him at 26 years old, it’s going to be ringing the bell in terms of nine figures and that sort of thing.”"

Currently, Luck is set to play on a $16.12 million team option for 2016, the last remaining year of his rookie deal that was signed back in 2012.

There’s been prior speculation that Luck could command as much as $24-25 million annually on his next contract, as he makes NFL contract history:

schefter1
schefter1 /

Right now, the NFL’s highest paid player is the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers, who’s currently making $22 million annually. It’s also worth noting that another fellow star young quarterback, the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson, recently signed a 4-year, $87.6 million deal that could serve as a baseline in negotiations for Luck.

Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Denver 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Either way, Luck is going to get paid–quite handsomely at that.

It doesn’t matter that Luck is coming off a down season–one in which he threw 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and a lackluster passer rating of 74.9 (which was 32nd among 34 qualifiers) and missed 9 games because of injuries.

Still only 26 years old, Luck possesses the arm, athleticism, and intangibles to become one of the NFL’s all-time great quarterbacks.

Despite his struggles, he’s just one season removed from a league-leading 40 touchdown pass season and carrying his team to the AFC Championship Game.

Fortunately for the Colts, there’s currently a “good chance” negotiations will get done relatively soon to keep the team’s franchise player in Horseshoe Blue for the foreseeable future.

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