by The Washington Commanders may have violated NFL handling rules when they allegedly asked about retired quarterback Andrew Luck’s interest in returning to the league.
He Indianapolis Colts have asked the NFL to investigate the possibility of inappropriate contact between the Commanders and Luck, according to ESPN.
Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball against the Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Luck, who retired in 2019 with three years remaining on his contract, would remain under contract with the Colts if he returned to the NFL.
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The Commanders have not contacted Luck or his agent, but Indianapolis hopes to clarify whether Washington spoke to a third party and whether that would constitute a violation of the NFL Anti-Handling Policyaccording to the report.
On Sunday, Colts owner Jim Irsay. issued a blanket statement warning any team that does not contact Luck about a possible NFL return.
“If any NFL team were to attempt to contact Andrew Luck (or any associate of his)… about playing for their franchise, it would be a clear violation of the league’s tampering policy,” his tweet read.
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Luck, 33, retired in 2019 after seven years in the league, all with the Colts. The surprise announcement came just before the start of the season and with three more years on his contract.
Andrew Luck on the sideline before the championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 10, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Colts have been searching for their next franchise quarterback since Luck abruptly retired before the start of the 2019 season.
Since Luck resigned, the Colts have traded for carson wenz and Matt Ryan, neither of whom lasted more than one season.
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With the opportunity to select a franchise-changing quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, Colts general manager Chris Ballard took a chance and selected Anthony Richardson of Florida with the fourth overall pick.
The Florida product is considered to have a huge advantage even though he is a raw talent.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson reacts after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL Draft on April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
“Sometimes you just have to try,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in “The Next Pick” video series.
“I didn’t want to look up and see him be a superstar somewhere else,” Ballard said. “If he’s going to be a superstar, he’s going to be a superstar for the Colts. Fortunately for us, it worked out.”
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
