Mike Wells, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Colts give 140 million reasons why they believe Andrew Luck won't repeat 2015

INDIANAPOLIS -- There was no doubt the Indianapolis Colts were going to sign Andrew Luck to a long-term contract. That's all they've talked about since the spring of 2015.

It was just a matter of how much they would be paying their franchise quarterback. That was answered when owner Jim Irsay, who never shies away attention, tweeted Luck's new contract numbers.

What the Colts proved by giving Luck the largest contract in NFL history is that they believe what happened in 2015 -- the worst season of his four-year NFL career -- was a fluke.

Luck completed just 55.3 percent of his attempts and committed 13 turnovers in 2015. He was also prone to injury for the first time in his career; he missed two games early in the season with a rib injury then missed the final seven with a lacerated kidney. Luck also dealt with abdominal and shoulder problems.

"That didn't factor into the negotiations," Irsay said. "We never even suggested it as leverage. We didn't go there. We're very blessed to have him and he's very excited to be a Colt."

Irsay said there was never any doubt in their minds that Luck would be the highest-paid player in NFL history. They took into account Luck's total body of work since he entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in 2012.

Some tend to forget that Luck helped the franchise make a seamless transition from future first-ballot Hall of Famer Peyton Manning in 2012. Luck led the Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, including the AFC Championship Game in 2014, and back-to-back undefeated seasons in the AFC South. Manning didn't win his first playoff game until his sixth season.

Luck threw for 12,957 yards and 86 touchdowns to go with 33 regular-season victories through his first three years. Manning had 12,287 yards, 85 touchdowns and 26 regular-season victories through his first three years.

"[Luck's] been ahead of the curve going back to Peyton and Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison and all those great players here," Irsay said. "After four years we hadn't won a playoff game, we hadn't done the things we had done with Andrew."

The pressure will remain on Luck. The Colts are showing their faith -- $87 million guaranteed faith -- in Luck that 2015 won't happen again. The Colts' future rests on his right arm and his health.

"He is healthy," Irsay said. "Obviously, this is not going to be his last contract by any means. I've never seen him more motivated to having a great season in terms of taking care of himself and just working out. He always has been [motivated]. If you can talk about redoubling your efforts, that fire is in his eye in a special way. I really didn't have any doubt."

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