Now that Andrew Luck is officially an Indianapolis Colt, fans can breathe easier and the team can work on its tight ends.
Luck signed a four-year deal for $22.1 million on Thursday. He'll also receive a signing bonus of $14.5 million. The Colts will have a fifth-year option, likely worth considerably more for that season.
The deal ensures Luck will have a full training camp. Rookies report three days prior to the official reporting date on July 28 at Anderson University.
The only players left unsigned by the Colts are rookie tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. Both are expected to reach agreements before missing any practice time.
Luck's contract is almost identical to the one signed by Carolina's Cam Newton as the No.1 pick in last year's draft. Because of rookie signing limitations, the range of negotiations were relatively small for Luck's camp and the Colts. A Colts representative told the Indianapolis Star there are no restrictions on Luck's endorsement possibilities, which was rumored to have slowed the process.
Luck's contract was far from the six-year, $78 million ($50 million signing bonus) the Rams' Sam Bradford received before the revision of the collective bargaining agreement put a cap on rookie contracts. Former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning signed a six-year, $48 million contract ($11.5 million bonus) when he was a rookie in 1998.
Luck signed his contract at the team's practice facility, but was not made available for comment and the team did not release any statements from the rookie.
