In the least surprising fifth-year option decision of the year, the Colts have officially exercised Andrew Luck‘s option for the 2016 season, the team announced today in a press release. The move ensures that Luck will be under contract for ’16 for a salary worth $16.155MM.
Luck, 25, has led the Colts to three consecutive 11-5 seasons since entering the league in 2012, establishing new career highs in 2014 with 4,761 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. He also led the team to a pair of postseason wins this winter, reaching the AFC Championship game against the Patriots. In other words, the former first overall pick has done nothing but prove that he’s in line for a mega-deal, and there’s a possibility his next contract makes him the highest-paid player in football.
However, with Luck now secured for two more seasons, the Colts probably aren’t in any rush to negotiate an extension. Team owner Jim Irsay indicated last month at the NFL’s owners meetings that the club may not address the young signal-caller’s contract until 2016.
Luck becomes the third player from 2012’s draft class to formally have his fifth-year option picked up. The Steelers exercised their option on David DeCastro today, while the Chargers picked up Melvin Ingram‘s option earlier this week. You can follow all of this year’s option decisions using our tracker.