Andrew Luck Signs Six-Year, $140 Million Contract

(photo credit: indystar.com)

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay stuck by his promise about giving Andrew Luck a huge contract, as the Colts have now secured their franchise quarterback through the 2021 season.

The Colts announced on Wednesday that Luck had agreed to a six-year $140 million contract extension. Based off of guaranteed salary, Luck will become the highest paid player in NFL history. According to sources close with ESPN, Luck is guaranteed to earn $87 million.  Before Luck signed a massive extension, the biggest contract in NFL history was a five-year $110 million contract signed by Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers previously made the most guaranteed money, but Luck’s $87 million has surpassed the $65 million those two are guaranteegd to make. Luck, who played four years of college football at Stanford, was selected by the Colts with the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Luck instantly made a difference for the Colts, as he made the transition from the Peyton Manning era a smooth one for the Colts. Luck helped the Colts reach the playoffs in his first three seasons, and he led his team to the AFC Championship game in 2014. Luck also helped the team claim two AFC South titles in 2013 and 2014. Luck has the fourth-most passing yards (14,838) by a quarterback in his fourth season in NFL history. Luck is only the fourth quarterback with at least 100 touchdowns in four career years. Luck recorded an NFL high 40 touchdowns in 2014.

Luck had the worst year of his career last season, as he was ravaged by injuries and inconsistent play. He is coming off the worst season of his career, as the 26-year-old completed just 55.3% of his passes last year. Luck passed for 1,881 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, while also committing 13 turnovers. Luck missed two games early in the season due to a rib injury.

He also missed the final seven games of the year, after he lacerated his kidney in the fourth quarter of a Week 9 game against the Denver Broncos. Luck also dealt with shoulder and abdominal injuries last season. Luck was scheduled to make $16.155 million this season, in what would have been the final year of his rookie contract.