Jim Irsay does not believe Andrew Luck will return to Colts
By John Buhler
Jim Irsay does not see Andrew Luck returning to the Indianapolis Colts any longer.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was blindsided when Andrew Luck abruptly retired in 2019.
In truth, we all were. That is why Luck’s retirement was so unbelievably shocking. He was the former No. 1 overall pick by Indianapolis in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Stanford. The multi-time Pro Bowler was seen as the best pro quarterback prospect to come out since fellow Cardinal John Elway. Irsay held out hope Luck would return at some point, but it seems he has moved on.
Who will be the Indianapolis Colts’ long-term solution at quarterback?
Indianapolis went with 2017 starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett for the 2019 season upon Luck’s retirement. While Brissett was serviceable for the Colts, they sought to reunite head coach Frank Reich with his former San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers on a one-year deal for 2020. Rivers has played well this season, but he is expected to retire at the end of the year.
The Colts did draft a former five-star recruit out of high school in Jacob Eason in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. So he could be worth playing at some point. However, the Colts are playoff-bound and certainly too good to draft Rivers’ long-term successor in 2021. Fortunately for the Colts, they could look at a few star quarterbacks in either free agency or in a blockbuster trade.
New Orleans Saints backup Jameis Winston could become available if Taysom Hill is really the Saints’ future at the quarterback position upon Drew Brees’ retirement. He won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State and had a solid five-year stint as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. The Colts could also orchestrate a huge trade to reunite Reich with another former quarterback.
Yes, we are talking about the Philadelphia Eagles parting ways with Carson Wentz. Prior to being named the Colts head coach, Reich was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl 52 champion Eagles. 2017 was Wentz’s best season as a professional, being the front-runner for NFL MVP before tearing his ACL. He has now been benched by Doug Pederson in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts.
Next. Jamal Adams battled depression playing for the Jets. dark
Ultimately, the Colts are in a bit of a predicament at the quarterback position long-term. They are in win-now mode, but do not know who will be starting under center for them in 2021. If the New York Jets win the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes, they could trade for Sam Darnold for pennies on the dollar as well. Either way, Irsay and the Colts do not expect Luck to ever return to the gridiron.
The Colts will keep moving forward as an organization without Luck as the face of the franchise.