Zak Keefer, Indianapolis Colts Zak Keefer, Indianapolis Colts

Jim Irsay: ‘Serious Talks Have Happened’ Regarding Andrew Luck’s New Deal

Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to the Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said that while “serious talks have happened” regarding the team’s ongoing contract discussions with star quarterback Andrew Luck, there’s still some work to do:

"“Serious talks have happened,” Irsay said Saturday during the NFL Draft. “The discussions we’ve had indicate we should be able to come to a deal. But until you do, we still have ground to cover. There’s no question about that.”"

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 /

The 4th-year quarterback is set to play on a $16.12 million team option in 2016, which is the last remaining year of his rookie contract from 2012. However, the Colts would obviously like to lock Luck up to a long-term contract soon, so the team can properly allocate their cap space around his mega-deal and move forward.

While Luck is coming off a down season for his standards, having missed 9 games because of injuries and sporting the worst passer rating of his career at 74.9, he remains one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL.

Still only 26 years old, Luck has the arm, football intelligence, and athleticism that would make any league general manager drool.

Despite his struggles this past season, he’s just one season removed from throwing for a league-leading 40 touchdown passes and carrying the Colts to the AFC Championship game.

Right now, it’s unclear what Luck’s final contract number will be.

It’s expected to be a “shocking” number and will likely exceed $100 million with somewhere around $25-30 million annually, but that number appears to be increasing by the day given the inflated market for NFL quarterbacks.