Andrew Luck is the next quarterback in line to ink a massive payday, and the Indianapolis Colts know it. Luck is entering the 2016 club option of his rookie deal and is on track to earn approximately $16.2 million this season.
The franchise is aware it will need to pay top dollar to keep Luck for many years to come. Team owner Jim Irsay discussed the contract situation with WISH-TV and said:
“It’s going to be a big number. It’s going to be a shocking number, nine figures and probably a $20 million starting point per year, but again we will find the right number to get to.”
Nine figures would have Luck joining the company of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers, Colin Kaepernick, Joe Flacco and Jay Cutler in top contract totals, according to Spotrac.
Currently, Rodgers earns the highest annual average salary which is $22 million, but Luck would likely test that mark considering his $20 million starting point would include yearly raises.
What Irsay didn’t mention was the percentage of the contract that would be guaranteed. That might be the number that comes as the true surprise. Russell Wilson, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers have $80-plus million contracts that are at least 70 percent guaranteed.
Luck’s representation will likely demand a huge chunk of his nine-figure contract be guaranteed as well.
With the Colts needing a makeover after a season filled with unexpected injuries, a new contract for Luck will hopefully go hand-in-hand with a fresh start in 2016.