Andrew Luck! One of the bigger stories being speculate..."/> Andrew Luck! One of the bigger stories being speculate..."/>

If Osweiler Gets $15-20M Per Year, Where Does that Leave Andrew Luck?

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Indianapolis 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Look out Andrew Luck!

One of the bigger stories being speculated ahead of this year’s free agency period is that Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler could command as much as $15-20 million per year as a soon-to-be free agent:

With the Denver Broncos top re-signing priority being prolific pass rusher Von Miller, and consequently their likely franchise tag recipient, Osweiler could find himself a new NFL home this offseason.

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) warms up before Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) warms up before Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi /

The 6’8″, 240 pound quarterback showed promise with the Broncos this season, as he led them to a 5-2 record in relief of Peyton Manning, before ultimately handing the starting quarterback badge back over to “The Sheriff”.

Sorry Deputy Osweiler. 

Yes, the 4th-year quarterback made his fair share of mistakes, but he completed 170 of 275 throws (61.8%) for 1,967 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a passer rating of 86.4.

Blessed with a strong arm and still only 25 years old, Osweiler has the physical talent and youth to entice a QB needy team to offer him a lucrative contract in what’s clearly a QB starved league.

However, if he’s set to make $15-20 million year on a new deal, where does that realistically leave Andrew Luck on his next contract?

Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) motions at the line of scrimmage against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) motions at the line of scrimmage against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Keep in mind that the NFL’s current highest paid player in the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers is currently making $22 million annually, while the Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson just signed a 4-year, $87.6 million deal, which pays him $21.9M annually.

If Osweiler gets close to that $20M threshold as a young, “pretty good quarterback”, where does that leave an “elite” young quarterback like Luck?

It would assuredly place Luck in at least the $25M per year range–likely much, much more, as the total number really could turn out to be a “shocking number” all things considered.

Colts owner Jim Irsay may very well turn out to be the world’s best prognosticator after all with his earlier choice of words. 

Perhaps, longtime Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White recently said it best:

Luck’s next contract could not only be shocking at its total contract value, but also in the fact, that it could be an unprecedented contract as far as total guaranteed money is concerned.

Right now, the NFL’s highest paid quarterbacks have their contracts in the guaranteed percentage range anywhere from 24% to 78%:

Screen Shot 2016-02-17 at 10.36.33 PM
Screen Shot 2016-02-17 at 10.36.33 PM /

However, Luck has the chance to make league history–not just in the sense of becoming the NFL’s highest paid player ever, but also with an unprecedented amount of his next contract fully guaranteed: