- PREMIUM
- HOME
- NFL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
- NBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Southeast
Atlantic
Southwest
Northwest
- MLB
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
AL East
AL Central
NL West
NL East
- NHL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Atlantic
Pacific
- WNBA
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
- EPL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
- MLS
Transactions
Trending Players
Eastern
ATL Atlanta UnitedAtlanta United FC
MTL MontrealCF Montreal
CLT CharlotteCharlotte FC
CHI FireChicago Fire
CLB Columbus CrewColumbus Crew
DC UnitedD.C. United
CIN CincinnatiFC Cincinnati
MIA Inter MiamiInter Miami FC
NSH NashvilleNashville SC
NE RevolutionNew England Revolution
NYC New York CityNew York City FC
RBNY Red BullsNew York Red Bulls
ORL Orlando CityOrlando City
PHI UnionPhiladelphia Union
TOR TorontoToronto FC
Western
ATX AustinAustin FC
COL RapidsColorado Rapids
DAL DallasFC Dallas
HOU DynamoHouston Dynamo
LA GalaxyLA Galaxy
LAFC Los AngelesLos Angeles FC
MIN MinnesotaMinnesota United FC
POR TimbersPortland Timbers
RSL Real Salt LakeReal Salt Lake
SJ EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes
SEA SoundersSeattle Sounders FC
SKC Kansas CitySporting Kansas City
STL St. Louis CITYSt. Louis CITY SC
VAN WhitecapsVancouver Whitecaps FC
- NWSL
Popular Pages
Transactions
Trending Players
ACFC Angel City FCAngel City FC
BFC Bay FCBay FC
CHI Chicago Red StarsChicago Red Stars
HOU Houston DashHouston Dash
KC Kansas City CurrentKansas City Current
NJNY NJ/NY Gotham FCNJ/NY Gotham FC
NC North Carolina CourageNorth Carolina Courage
ORL Orlando PrideOrlando Pride
POR Portland Thorns FCPortland Thorns FC
LOU Racing Louisville FCRacing Louisville FC
SD San Diego Wave FCSan Diego Wave FC
SEA Seattle Reign FCSeattle Reign FC
UTA Utah Royals FCUtah Royals FC
WAS Washington SpiritWashington Spirit
- GOLF
Popular Pages
Trending Players
- TENNIS
ATP
WTA
- RACING
NASCAR CUP
FORMULA 1
- PVF
- OLYMPICS
Colts Extend Andrew Luck in Historic Manner
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/xlarge/USATSI_8913410_160074578_lowres.jpg)
Colts owner Jim Irsay did what he has said he would do all along - sign Andrew Luck this offseason to the biggest contract in NFL history. The Colts locked in their franchise quarterback to a total of 6 years $139.125M, or a 5 year, $122.97M new money contract. The deal checks off all the bullet points needed to be "historic", including a $23M+ AAV, $75M in 3-year cash, and a whopping $87M in practical full guaranteed money - all the most ever.
Assessing the Structure
In terms of cap figures, the beginning of the deal is relatively friendly, including $18.4M in 2016, and $19.4M in 2017. The cap hits rise to $24.4M, $27.525M, and $28.4M over 2018-20 before dropping to $21M in 2021.
Luck's roster bonus structure is interesting in that he contains multiple bonuses 2017, 2018, and 2019 that guarantee early in the league year, but one is paid in March of that year, while the other is paid in September. This is a strong example of how team's need to separate their cash flow from their cap table at times.
Guaranteed Breakdown
Luck receives a whopping $44M guaranteed at signing, 3rd most in the league. This comes from a $32M signing bonus, and a $12M 2016 salary.
From there though the deal becomes EXTREMELY team-friendly. The remaining $43M in full guarantees come in a "rolling" structure. This means that salaries & bonuses don't become fully guaranteed until a certain day of the league year, giving the team a way out (via trade or release) with less dead cap incurred.
For Luck, this starts in 2017 when his $7M salary, and $9M in roster bonuses become fully guaranteed on the 5th league day of 2017.
- On the 5th league day of 2018, his $12M salary and a $3M roster bonus become fully guaranteed.
- On the 5th league day of 2019, $12M in roster bonuses become fully guaranteed
- On the 5th league day of 2020, an $11M roster bonus becomes fully guaranateed
- On the 5th league day of 2021, a $10M roster bonus becomes fully guaranteed.
In other words, if the next 3 years don't go swimmingly, the Colts can bail out on this contract after the 2018 season, and before the 5th league day of the 2019 year, and incur just a $12.8M dead cap hit.
Cash Breakdown
The cash structure for luck is scattered as noted above, but annually looks like:
- 2016: $30M
- 2017: $27M
- 2018: $18M
- 2019: $21.25M
- 2020: $22M
- 2021: $21M
Were he to play this contract out in full, he'll be 32 years and will have earned $161.2M through his first 10 NFL seasons.
Takeaways Going Forward
Luck's deal isn't going to raise the bar for everyone, but it's certainly supplanted the quarterback position as the dominant contract. The $75M in three year cash should excite future signees most (Tyrod Taylor, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Blake Bortles), as it signifies a $25M per year deal within the logical term of the modern contract (many contracts are voided or extended in by year 4).
While the guaranteed money looks outrageous on paper, a quick look at the rolling structure of it lends all the control over years 2 and on to the team, who can remove themselves if necessary. Contracts for Bills DT Marcel Dareus and Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh have multiple salaries guaranteed early in the structure of the deal, handcuffing their respective teams.
It will be interesting going forward to see how the balance of power between the high numbers demanded from players/agents and any control (outs) the teams seek can live in harmony. It should surprise no one that Andrew Luck's contract appears to do both well.
CATEGORIES
- NBA 102
- NFL 72
- GOLF 47
- NWSL 35
- MLB 22
- NHL 1
AUTHORS
- Michael Ginnitti NFL, MLB
- Keith Smith NBA
- Scott Allen Contributor
- Taylor Vincent NWSL
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4512_USATSI_21628660_168390303_lowres1.jpg)
Breaking Down Brandon Aiyuk's $120M Extension
After a 6-month standoff that may not have gotten anyone anywhere in the long run, the San Francisco 49ers & WR Brandon Aiyuk agreed to a 4 year, $120M contract extension this week, keeping the 26-year-old on the books through the 2028 season. READ MORE
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4511_USATSI_22005779_168390303_lowres.jpg)
Breaking Down CeeDee Lamb's $136M Extension
The Cowboys checked off one of their three big contract extension boxes, signing WR CeeDee Lamb to a 4 year, $136M extension. We dive into the facts, figures, rankings & future outlook here. READ MORE
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4509_USATSI_23205994_168390303_lowres.jpg)
NWSL Secondary Window Signings/Trade Tracker
Tracking all of the NWSL Secondary Window signings and trades per team.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4507_USATSI_24068850_168390303_lowres.jpg)
Starting QB Future Contract Outlooks
With Week 1 of the 2024 regular season nearly upon us, it’s a good time to take one last offseason look at the practical contract outlook for every starting QB based on guarantee structure.
![](https://d1dglpr230r57l.cloudfront.net/images/crop/4508_USATSI_21543697_168390303_lowres.jpg)
NWSL 2025 Pending Free Agency
Taking a look at how the initial 2025 NWSL free agency list breaks down.
TRENDING PLAYERS
- 1 Scottie Scheffler (G, )
- 2 Ja'Marr Chase (WR, CIN)
- 3 Johnny Gaudreau (LW, CBJ)
- 4 Ricky Pearsall (WR, SF)
- 5 Josh Jacobs (RB, GB)
TRENDING PAGES
- 1 NFL Transactions
- 2 NFL Free Agents
- 3 MLB Free Agents
- 4 NFL Contracts
- 5 NFL Salary Rankings