Andrew Luck is going to be a very rich young man whenever he signs a contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts.
The two sides are reportedly working on a massive new deal that could pay Luck an average of $25 million per season, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
“Slowly, over the course of several conversations since February, the two sides have moved closer on the terms of a potential deal that would no doubt make Luck the highest-paid player in league history,” Rapoport writes. “There would be no surprise if Luck’s deal reached the $25 million mark on a per-year basis, given his age, productivity and leverage.”
One fascinating aspect of this impending extension is that Luck is coming off the worst year of his professional career. He was never sharp when he did play and ended up missing nine games due to some rather harrowing injuries.
However, everyone who follows the sport recognizes Luck as one of the premier young quarterbacks in the NFL. His performance in 2014 was just a taste of what is likely to come. During that season he passed for 4,761 yards with 40 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also led the Colts to the AFC Championship Game, where they were trounced by the New England Patriots.
That he will land a record-breaking deal is not a huge surprise, therefore. Of further note on this count, owner Jim Irsay said a few months ago that he was planning on signing Luck to a “shocking” new contract.
Currently, Joe Flacco is the richest quarterback in the NFL, averaging $22.13 million per year. Luck’s new contract will surely exceed that number, and it sounds like he will do so by a wide margin. For his part, Luck has maintained a lack of concern over getting a deal done.
If he can continue to progress as a franchise passer, then he’s well worth the money. Of course, it remains to be seen if Luck has what it takes to finally get his team over the hump for an NFL title, but history suggests he’s well on his way.