Indianapolis Colts resolve Commanders-Andrew Luck tampering allegations
The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly resolved their issues with the Washington Commanders this week after a report suggested the Commanders had tampered with former franchise quarterback Andrew Luck.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports that a league source revealed that Indianapolis found no evidence of communication between anyone from the Commanders and Luck, or those connected to him.
The retired Colts quarterback reportedly had interest from the Commanders before the 2022 season, according to a report from ESPN’s John Keim.
“It has been determined that the Commanders never spoke to Luck or anyone in his immediate circle and, therefore, did not violate the NFL’s anti-tampering policy, the source told ESPN,” Holder wrote.
In response to that report in early May, Colts owner Jim Irsay used his Twitter account to send a message to the other 31 teams in the league regarding his former star.
Irsay reminded teams that Luck is still, and will remain, Indianapolis’s quarterback if he chooses to return to the game.
“If any NFL Team, attempted to contact Andrew Luck (or any associate of him)… to play for their Franchise – it would be a clear Violation of the League’s Tampering Policy,” Irsay tweeted.
The accusation was a serious one from the Colts given the NFL’s punishments. Found to have tampered with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, the Miami Dolphins had to give up a first-round draft selection this year, as well as a third-round selection. Miami owner Stephen Ross also received a suspension and a fine for the violation.
Andrew Luck still has no intention of returning to NFL
Luck is just 31 years old, so the thought of him returning to the field is not out of the question – except for Luck himself, apparently.
“When Luck retired, his contract tolled,” Holder shared following Irsay’s remarks. “As a result, he would be property of the Colts if he ever unretired (which he absolutely does not intend to do).”
The former Stanford quarterback was a four-time Pro Bowler. He led the NFL in touchdowns in 2014 and captured the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2018.
Additionally, Luck led the Colts as far as the AFC Championship Game, also winning multiple AFC South titles over his time. He only played for seven seasons, but his impact was significant. Naturally, if the QB wanted to explore a return to the game, the Colts want to be his first call.
Luck amassed 23,671 passing yards, 171 passing touchdowns, 1,590 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns for Indy.