Wow.

We'll never know. Colts went 11-5 with Luck the next three years, so they weren't devoid of talent. Peyton threw 131 touchdowns those next three years. And in the fourth year, he won another Super Bowl. I don't think it's a stretch to think that Peyton might have taken them as far or further.

 

The Colts got 31 games out of Luck after Peyton retired. Not even two full seasons.

 

Peyton had a top defense with him in Denver to go along with it. He wouldn't have had that in Indy. So imo no need to judge it harshly. I think almost every NFL team would have done the same thing. Luck was one of highest regarded QB prospects coming into the NFL since Peyton. Peyton was older and coming off a bad nerve injury. I think every NFL team would have done the same.

I just couldn’t imagine being a Colts fan right now. They went from legit super bowl contenders to just hoping to be 8-8.

I just couldn’t imagine being a Colts fan right now. They went from legit super bowl contenders to just hoping to be 8-8.

 

True. On the flip side they once again are going to have the top pick in a year where it's a stud qb class coming out.

True. On the flip side they once again are going to have the top pick in a year where it's a stud qb class coming out.

I honestly don’t think they’ll be that bad. I think with Brissett they should still be a 6-8 win football team. Plus even if they were in that position, I don’t think any of the guys next year are as can’t miss as Manning and Luck were. When Trevor Lawrence comes out that will be the closest thing to Luck and Manning.

I will give the guy the benefit of the doubt. He and only he knows what he’s been through.

 

That being said, I will never root for the Colts as long as there’s an Irsay in the front office. And hearing the Colts “fans” booing as he left the field was pitiful. I don’t care if they go 0-160 for the next ten years.

6 NFL seasons:

 

» torn cartilage in 2 ribs

» partially torn abdomen

» a lacerated kidney that left him peeing blood

» at least 1 concussion

» a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder

» calf issue this preseason

 

All before the age of 30.

 

Between all this, the $50 million in the bank and the Stanford engineering degree, his decision makes perfect sense.

If he is mentally worn down, I have to say that I respect that he is getting out of a game that you can't be that. However, you have to find a way to make that evaluation MONTHS ago. The Colts are going to have to roll with Brissett now. They surely would have liked to have made a move months ago to fix that spot.

 

History will now judge their decision to prioritize Luck over Manning very, very harshly. May have already, but Luck represented a lot of potential. Potential that is lost.

 

Luck carried the Colts his first few years, until he missed all of 2017. The decision to pick him won't be judged harshly...not building a team around him, is what should be judged harshly. Manning certainly wouldn't have done better, as Luck's legs were a big part of his success. And Manning's last super bowl win with Denver, was a team effort...Mannings leadership was absolutely a big part of it, but physically, Manning was shot and a below average QB at the time.

I just couldn’t imagine being a Colts fan right now. They went from legit super bowl contenders to just hoping to be 8-8.

 

Imagine ponying up for a PSL and season tickets then having to settle for Jacoby Brissett. After 20 years of stellar play under center, it all comes crashing down.

Between all this, the $50 million in the bank and the Stanford engineering degree, his decision makes perfect sense.

 

Exactly.

It's a tough day, regardless of your job, when you wake up one day and realize you may never be able to do it without medication. The medication works for a while but sometimes causes other complications such as weight gain or constipation. If that medication doesn't work, there's always an injection. The memory of being pain free, when you could run without pain or just put on pads or tie your show without help. The shame of telling an assistant coach or trainer you can't do that drill because your body isn't cooperating. More meds. Being questioned in public by a society who doesn't understand or fully know what it's like to try and limp through a day in your shoes. And now a different injury. More meds. More injections. Surgeries. More questions about the ability to do your job. Being told by your doctor you are good to go but your body has other ideas. If I'm good to go, why am I still in pain? More rehab. Let's switch treatments. Never getting a straight answer of what's wrong and why there is still pain.

 

Yeah, I can see where it would wear a person down mentally. When it's your time, it's your time whether it's March or two weeks before the regular season. The fact people don't respect his decision for selfish reasons is one of the things wrong with our society today.

Great post Scribe and I can only imagine how tough this must be on Luck.

Between all this, the $50 million in the bank and the Stanford engineering degree, his decision makes perfect sense.

 

Exactly.

 

The timing isn’t ideal for the Colts but life isn’t always ideal.

 

Good for him.

I think he will be back in two years.

Luck carried the Colts his first few years, until he missed all of 2017. The decision to pick him won't be judged harshly...not building a team around him, is what should be judged harshly. Manning certainly wouldn't have done better, as Luck's legs were a big part of his success. And Manning's last super bowl win with Denver, was a team effort...Mannings leadership was absolutely a big part of it, but physically, Manning was shot and a below average QB at the time.

 

Manning passed for 4600+, 5400+ and 4700+ yards his first three years in Denver. He was hurt during the Superbowl season and I agree his leadership was more important than his arm. But he was far from average those first three years, they actually were three of his best. Year 2 in Denver he passed for league leading 5,477 and 55 TD's.