Colts' Irsay warns teams of tampering after report links Luck to Commanders
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay warned NFL teams interested in trying to talk quarterback Andrew Luck out of retirement that doing so "would be a clear violation of the league's tampering policy."
Irsay's tweet Sunday came hours after ESPN's John Keim reported that the Washington Commanders phoned Luck during the 2022 offseason.
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.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 8, 2023
Washington inquired about Luck before making a trade with the Colts for quarterback Carson Wentz, according to Keim. The Commanders reportedly "called every team" in the NFL that might have had a quarterback available last year.
Sources later told Mark Maske of The Washington Post that the Commanders didn't contact Luck, his father, or his uncle, who's served as his agent. However, the Colts still want the NFL to determine whether there was improper contact through intermediaries, reports Maske.
Luck shockingly retired at the age of 29 in August 2019 after seven seasons in the NFL, citing injuries as the main reason for his decision. He had three seasons left on a six-year, $140-million extension he inked with Indy in 2016, which means the Colts still control his rights. Any team interested in acquiring the 2012 first overall pick would have to work on a trade with Indianapolis for him.
The NFL's anti-tampering policy states that "no club, nor any person employed by or otherwise affiliated with a club, is permitted to tamper with a player who is under contract to or whose exclusive negotiating rights are held by another club," notes Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.
Indianapolis could pursue tampering charges against the Commanders, reports ESPN's Stephen Holder:
When Luck retired, his contract tolled. As a result, he would be property of the Colts if he ever unretired (which he absolutely does not intend to do).
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) May 8, 2023
Luck took the NFL by storm and finished his career with four Pro Bowl nods under his belt. The 2018 Comeback Player of the Year led the league with 40 touchdown passes in 2014 and posted a 53-33 regular-season record.
Quarterback has been a major concern for the Commanders, who've started 12 different players at the position in the last five seasons. But Washington didn't show the same urgency to address the position this offseason, with 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell set to take over under center. The club signed veteran Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal in March to back up Howell.
Meanwhile, the Colts have faced their own issues while trying to find a replacement for Luck, with eight QBs starting at least one game in the last five years. Indianapolis is kicking off a new era in 2023 after drafting Florida star Anthony Richardson fourth overall.