The Colts signed quarterback Andrew Luck to a record-setting new contract. (Getty)
Andrew Luck is coming off his worst season as an NFL quarterback.
He played just 7 games in the injury-plagued 2015, first missing two games with a shoulder injury, then in early November a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle he suffered against the Broncos ended his season.
But that didn’t stop the Indianapolis Colts from signing Luck to a record-setting six-year contract, which will pay him a guaranteed $75 million over the first three seasons and is worth a total of $140 million. Luck will get $87 million guaranteed overall.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has an average salary of $22.1 million, Luck’s will be $23.3M.
#Colts QB Andrew Luck signed a 6-year deal worth $140M, owner Jim Irsay said. $25M per year in the first 3 years. Monster deal.
More Andrew Luck numbers: $87M in guarantees… $60M fully guaranteed by Mar. of 2017, $81M by 3/18, $87M fully guaranteed by 3/19
It is the most guaranteed cash an NFL contract has ever seen, shattering the $65 million received by quarterbacks Philip Rivers (Chargers) and Eli Manning (Giants).
He is now signed through 2021 and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2022.
Andrew has signed through 2021
2016 was the final year of Luck’s rookie contract. He was set to make $16,155,000 this year before the new deal.
Shortly after the announcement, Luck said in a statement:
I am thrilled and excited to continue with this great organization. I am thankful to the Irsay family and Mr. (Jim) Irsay for providing me with this great opportunity and the trust that they’ve shown in me. I can’€™t wait for this season to start.
In his first three seasons, Luck led the Colts to three 11-win years, making the playoffs in each. Luck played behind a porous offensive line in 2015. Indy used four of its 2016 NFL Draft picks on offensive linemen, including center Ryan Kelly in the first round and tackle Le’Raven Clark in the third.
Here are the biggest contracts in NFL history, based on guaranteed money, according to spotrac.com:
— Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: $65 million guaranteed
— Eli Manning, QB, Giants: $65 million guaranteed
— Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks: $61.542 million guaranteeed
— Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers: $61 million guaranteed
— Marcel Dareus, DT, Bills: $60 million guaranteed
— Cam Newton, QB, Panthers: $60 million guaranteed
— Ndamukong Suh, DT, Dolphins: $59.955 million guaranteed
— Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: $55 million guaranteed
— Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers: $54 million guaranteed
— Jay Cutler, QB, Bears: $54 million guaranteed
