Ron Rivera has struck out at quarterback since becoming the Washington Commanders head coach in 2020. Before last season, the Commanders displayed a sense of urgency to land a viable quarterback. According to John Keim of ESPN, Washington contacted every team with an available quarterback. The team also went as far as reaching out to the retired Andrew Luck.
Keim was trying to draw a timeline on Washington’s decision to start 2022 fifth-round draft pick Sam Howell at quarterback next season. However, news of contact with Luck may put the Commanders in a pickle, as Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay took to Twitter with a stern warning NFL teams about tampering.
“If any NFL team attempted to contact Andrew Luck (or any associate of him)…. to play for their Franchise — it would be a clear Violation of the League’s Tampering Policy,” Irsay tweeted.
Luck abruptly retired during the 2019 preseason after seven seasons with the Colts. He’s stayed retired, and there is no indication he would return to the field.
Details of the conversation between the Commanders and Luck are unclear. However, it’s obvious Luck didn’t come out of retirement for the team. Instead, Washington acquired Carson Wentz in a trade ironically from the Colts.
But it’s important to know if and how the Commanders got in contact with Luck. Last year, Keim hinted that Washington “considered” Luck. His report over the weekend said the Commanders “phoned” Luck.
Luck may be retired, but the Colts maintain his rights. Luck had three years remaining on his $122.9 million, five-year deal with Indianapolis.
Any contact with Luck would have to be cleared by the Colts. Also, Indianapolis is subjected to compensation for Luck to play for any other team. Speaking to Luck without the Colts’ permission may violate the league’s tampering policy.
The Colts drafted Anthony Richardson last weekend with the fourth overall pick. The Commanders have moved on from Wentz, turning over the keys to Howell. Yet, Irsay’s perceived threat to file tampering charges is part of a bigger story.
Irsay has not been fond of the Commanders, particularly current owner Dan Snyder. Last year, Irsay spoke out against Snyder, saying “there is merit” for the NFL to remove him as an owner in response to several investigations launched against Snyder.
Irsay’s comments came shortly after a report surfaced that Snyder threatened to sue the league and reveal “dirt” he had on other owners and NFL officials, hoping to stave off any removal attempt.
At the time, the Commanders responded by calling Irsay’s comments “highly inappropriate” and later claimed Irsay violated the NFL’s constitution by speaking out against a league official.
The NFL expects Snyder to sell the Commanders in the coming months. Snyder has a $6.05 billion agreement with a group led by Josh Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. But the deal is not final, and Irsay’s response to the Andrew Luck report may be the latest in the ongoing feud between Irsay and Snyder.
