5 reasons Andrew Luck extension is a bad move for Colts
By John Buhler
4. This angers the rest of the AFC South and makes him a bigger target
Besides Wilson in Seattle, who in his own right can claim his spot as the best quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft class, there are three teams in the NFL that are probably infuriated by how much money Luck just received from the Colts in his five-year extension: the rest of the AFC South.
Indianapolis has been the dominant team since 2002’s realignment to include the then expansion franchise Houston Texans. Houston has won the AFC South three of the last five years. The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans have two young franchise quarterbacks trying to do the same thing in Blake Bortles and Marcus Mariota, respectively.
Star defensive players like the Texans’ J.J. Watt, the Jaguars’ Malik Jackson, and the Titans’ Brian Orakpo will be even more amped up about doing their job of bringing Luck to the turf twice annually. All three AFC South teams will continue to build their pass rushes to affect Luck’s passing game. Hopefully, Indianapolis has enough spare cash to protect its star quarterback after breaking the bank.
On the offensive side of the ball, this probably ignites the play of both Bortles and Mariota, two former top three NFL Draft picks. Bortles is essentially a cheaper version of Luck with a similar body type and frankly a better passing offense than what Luck has to work with in Indianapolis. Under offensive coordinator Greg Olson, the Jaguars are rapidly becoming a top five aerial attack in the game thanks to Bortles’ arm and elusiveness and great receiving options in wide receiver Allen Robinson and tight end Julius Thomas.
Mariota did something that Luck was never able to in the Pac-12: win the Heisman Trophy. The 2014 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback for the Oregon Ducks might be on the precipice of a breakout season in year two. The Mike Mularkey/Terry Robiskie tandem worked marvelously with the Atlanta Falcons for years. Tennessee’s offensive line is getting better through the draft and Mariota already has an elite safety valve in tight end, Delanie Walker.
The $140 million contract of Luck’s is bulletin board material for all three AFC South rivals for at least the entire 2016 NFL season. Playing under a CBA that the owners clearly won, players will look at Luck’s contract with immense jealousy and will want to give it everything they got in their two annual games versus the Colts.
Next: 3. The AFC South isn't a cakewalk anymore.