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Indianapolis Colts: Does Andrew Luck Deserve to Be The NFL’s Top-Paid Player?

By Garrett Hagan

Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the first half during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the first half during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is set to become possibly the wealthiest player in league history when he is expected to sign a blockbuster deal with the Colts. Is the 26-year-old quarterback deserving of such a lucrative deal?

The Indianapolis Colts are about to have their franchise locked up for the future that is Luck — and given the large impact he has on his team’s success, he’s about to sign a rather large deal.

Team owner Jim Irsay has noted numerous times that the Colts would like to get a contract extension done by July 4, or by the end of training camp at the very latest.

Aside from last season — when Luck had missed all but seven games due to various injury — he has had a great deal of success in the League, taking a two-win Colts team from 2011 and completely transforming them into a playoff team the very next season during his rookie year. The Colts went a combined 33-15 over Luck’s first three seasons and advanced further in the playoffs each year.

Given how much he means to his team, it is expected that the Colts will sign Luck to a mega-deal, with projections of the young quarterback earning roughly $25 million each season.

Despite the speculation and rumors regarding his next NFL contract, Luck isn’t all that concerned about the figure of the deal, per WTHR.com.

“I’m a Colt, no matter what happens. And that’s all that matters and I don’t think about it one way or another,” Luck said.

Is Luck deserving of such a potentially large contract?

Undoubtably, yes. The Colts may have won half of their games last season without Luck at the helm, but a lot of the thanks can go to the experience behind backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in 2015.

Without his veteran presence, the Colts likely win fewer than their eight-game mark and wind up looking more like the Dallas Cowboys of last year — who were without Tony Romo for almost the entire season and had a plethora of unexperienced backups, leading the team to a 4-12 mark just one year removed from a 12-win season.

Many were quick to criticize Luck after such a letdown of a year in 2015, but failed to realize just how good he actually is.

Per ESPN.com, there are just a few quarterbacks who have produced so effectively in such little time as Luck has since entering the league. The Colts’ signal-caller ranks fourth in NFL history with 101 passing touchdowns through his first four seasons. He trails just Dan Marino, Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

Next: Indianapolis Colts: Will Andrew Luck Still Be Top Quarterback in AFC South?

Whether or not Luck takes as much money as he can get, or a ‘team friendly’ deal remains up in the air. It is known however that he will in fact receive the money that he deserves for being the anchor of the Colts for the last four years. Expect a deal to get done in the coming weeks.

Be sure to follow Ink On Indy as we continue our coverage of the Indianapolis Colts’ offseason.

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