Odds Andrew Luck Unretires and Returns to Colts for 2021 NFL Season
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Published:
- Unsubstantiated rumors have surfaced that QB Andrew Luck will be coming out of retirement to rejoin the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts
- Odds are -1200 that there’s nothing to the rumors and he’ll remain in retirement
- Luck retired from football in 2019 at the age of 29
Certainly, there’s an element of luck involved in betting. Whether there’s an element of truth in the rumors that quarterback Andrew Luck is planning to end his two-year retirement from the NFL and rejoin the Indianapolis Colts, well, that’s another matter.
Speculation began surfacing earlier this week that Luck was planning a meeting with Colts owner Jimmy Irsay to discuss a return to football. These unsubstantiated reports were built around texts posted on social media that were allegedly sent by Luck’s wife Nicole.
None of the national NFL media sources are discussing these rumors. In fact, NBC’s Peter King said flat out that he’s heard no such talk.
The odds are reflecting the likelihood that there’s nothing of substance to the talk. The betting line is -1200 that Luck won’t be returning to the football field. It’s +750 that Luck will be coming back to play.
Odds Andrew Luck Returns to Play in NFL
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| No | -1200 |
| Yes | +750 |
Odds as of Feb. 4
An earlier prop wager on who would be the starting QB for the Colts in the 2021 NFL season was listing Luck as a +6600 longshot.
Colts Would Be Luck-y to Get Him Back
Citing a lengthy history of injuries, Luck retired just prior to the opening kickoff of the 2019 NFL season. It’s entirely understandable why the Colts would welcome him back with open arms, though.
As Indy’s QB, Luck led them to four playoff appearances, a trip to the AFC Championship Game, and a 53-33 record. For his career, Luck’s completion percentage was 60.8. He passed for 23,671 yards, threw for 71 touchdowns, and ran for 14 more.
If Andrew Luck returned next season to start for the Colts, would they be the favorites to win the Super Bowl? pic.twitter.com/VMoSA1kbMG
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) February 3, 2021
Passing for 4,593 yards and 39 TDs in his farewell NFL campaign, Luck was named 2018 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Four times, the season concluded with his selection to the Pro Bowl.
Equipped with a sterling defense, elite offensive line, and deep at the skill positions, Indy is a frontline QB away from being a Super Bowl contender. As long as Patrick Mahomes is still in Kansas City, the Chiefs will remain the team to beat. But the Colts with Luck would be right there in the Super Bowl odds, nipping at KC’s heels.
What Does Jimmy From the Colts Say?
According to the leaked texts from Luck’s wife – which neither she or him are confirming as accurate – Luck was to meet Thursday with Colts owner Jimmy Irsay. Or, as the alleged texts are calling him, “Jimmy from the Colts.”
If this meeting is indeed a reality, it appears to be news to Irsay.
Irsay on Andrew Luck. Essentially, the door’s always open, but.
‘It stands where it stands. Andrew's retired. He knows we would love to have him back, but only he could ever answer that question." pic.twitter.com/kSH2lvMFEE— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) January 27, 2021
While admitting that the door is always open for Luck’s return to Indianapolis, Irsay told local media that Luck isn’t providing any indication that he’ll be walking through that door anytime soon.
“Andrew’s retired,” Irsay told FOX59/CBS4 Sports. “He knows we would love to have him back, but only he could ever answer that question.”
Players Doubting the Speculation
Colts linebacker Darius Leonard and running back Nyheim Hines both threw cold water on the speculation of Luck rising up and returning to lead them to glory.
Andrew Luck's former Colts teammate Darius Leonard discusses the possibility of the quarterback returning to the NFL. #usatodayRadioRowSB55 pic.twitter.com/kcO1WNfpMW
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) February 3, 2021
“People gotta understand that once your body says you gotta shut down, it’s over with,” Leonard told USA Today.
Speaking with Pro Football Focus, Hines echoed those sentiments regarding whether there was any hope of a Luck comeback.
“Absolutely not,” Hines said. “I don’t see it at all.”
Tony Dungy on the Andrew Luck rumors.
(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/enuQJxWOH1
— Audacy Sports (@AudacySports) February 3, 2021
Another who is completely doubting there being any merit to the rumors is former Colts head coach Tony Dungy. Now an NFL analyst with NBC, Dungy went through similar episodes of speculation that he’d return to coaching every time there’d be an NFL opening.
“I think this will be something that’s talked about forever,” Dungy told the Pat McAfee Show.
"I love crazy, outlandish, zany rumors. And there is a crazy, outlandish, zany rumor right now that is out there about Andrew Luck and his supposed interest in the Colts job of quarterback going forward." –@ClayTravis pic.twitter.com/tSkhtrqoDC
— OutKick (@Outkick) February 4, 2021
As luck would have it, in this case, there’s more smoke and mirrors to these rumors than substance and reality.
Colts fans can dream and hope all they want. The fact of the matter is that Luck isn’t coming back.
Pick: No (-1200)
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
