A source from ESPN reported on Monday that the Indianapolis Colts have requested that the NFL launch an investigation into the possibility of the Washington Commanders engaging in inappropriate contact with retired Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. The Washington Post had already reported on this situation prior to ESPN’s coverage.
Andrew Luck, a former four-time Pro Bowl selection, retired from the NFL in 2019, leaving three seasons remaining on his contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The contract was signed after his departure, meaning that he would still be bound to the Colts if he decided to make a comeback. Therefore, any improper contact by another club could potentially breach the NFL’s anti-tampering policy.
A source revealed to ESPN on Sunday that the Colts were contemplating pursuing the matter after ESPN’s report on Saturday indicated that the Washington Commanders had attempted to determine if Luck was interested in returning to the NFL during the team’s extensive search for a starting quarterback in 2022.
According to ESPN’s John Keim, a source within the Washington Commanders stated on Monday that the team had considered Andrew Luck, among numerous other quarterbacks, but ultimately decided to pass on him because they assumed he would remain retired. Therefore, the Commanders did not proceed any further.
It is believed that the Commanders did not directly communicate with Luck or his agent, as that would violate the league’s anti-tampering policy. The Indianapolis Colts are attempting to gain further information about the situation, including whether the Commanders contacted a third party and whether such actions would breach the policy. A source from the Colts disclosed this to ESPN on Sunday.
The NFL’s anti-tampering policy does not explicitly require direct communication with a player for a violation to occur. The policy states that any public or private statement, qualified or unqualified, expressing interest in another team’s player to the player’s agent, representative, or a member of the media is a violation. This portion of the policy remains somewhat ambiguous.
On Sunday, Colts owner Jim Irsay expressed his position via Twitter, stating that any NFL team that tried to contact Andrew Luck, or anyone connected to him, in order to persuade him to play for their franchise would be breaching the League’s Tampering Policy.
Neither the Indianapolis Colts nor an NFL spokesperson offered any public statements regarding this matter on Monday.
When tampering charges have been substantiated in the past, the NFL has taken severe action. For instance, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was suspended, fined, and the franchise had two draft picks revoked, following a league investigation that revealed the team violated the anti-tampering policy on three occasions between 2019 and 2022 in talks with quarterback Tom Brady and the agent of former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton.
Andrew Luck, who is currently 33 years old, has repeatedly stated his lack of intention to return to football. He enrolled at Stanford University, where he obtained his undergraduate degree, last autumn to pursue a master’s degree in education.
For More Sports News Visit