Former Indianapolis Colts star Andrew Luck is happily retired and is not interested in a return to the NFL amid reports the Washington Commanders could face a tampering investigation for contacting the quarterback.
On Saturday, ESPN reported the Commanders reached out to Luck - who retired in August 2019 - as part of their desperate search for a quarterback last season. The NFC East franchise failed in their pursuit as they ultimately turned to another former Colts signal-caller in Carson Wentz.
Wentz struggled as he threw a career-low 1,755 yards along with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in eight games. The 30-year-old struggled with several nagging injuries and was released by the Commanders after the campaign came to a close.
It makes sense the Commanders would turn to Luck, who retired aged just 29 after suffering a number of injuries behind a poor offensive line. But it is little surprise that their contact didn't get them very far. The 33-year-old is now happily retired, spending his days fishing and playing with young daughter Lucy, while he returned to Stanford as a graduate student recently, pursuing a masters degree in education.
Luck - the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft - threw for 25,925 yards and 183 touchdowns in his career, leading the Colts to the AFC Championship in 2014 where they fell to the New England Patriots. Across his seven-year career, Luck made four Pro Bowl appearances and was considered one of the premier quarterbacks in the league - but he has since insisted he has no intention of returning to the NFL.
Speaking to ESPN back in December, Luck revealed he had moved on from his time in the NFL as he said: “To play quarterback, you're not allowed to worry about anything except the task at hand. And that seeps into other areas of life. It's not the healthiest way to live.“
When Luck retired, he had three seasons remaining on a five-year deal worth $122million, so the Colts own his rights if he decided to return. Contact with him is only allowed if Indianapolis give consent.
ESPN reported the Commanders had ‘phoned about’ Luck indirectly, which could see tampering brought against the franchise depending on the individuals involved. The NFL’s anti-tampering policy reads: “Any public or private statement of interest, qualified or unqualified, in another club's player to that player's agent or representative, or to a member of the news media, is a violation.”
The Miami Dolphins breached the policy recently, losing its first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as a result. The AFC East franchise engaged in illegal communications with Tom Brady and now-Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton between 2019 and 2022, when the iconic quarterback played for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, the Commanders are set to head into the 2023 season with second-year quarterback Sam Howell as the starter. The Colts will hope they have finally found Luck's long-term successor in the form of Anthony Richardson, who the franchise selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
