Andrew Luck Shuts the Door on NFL Return: “I’m Where I’m Supposed to Be”
Andrew Luck isn’t coming back. Not now, not ever - and according to him, the phone hasn’t even rung.
In a rare interview with Jim Rome, the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback made it clear: he’s fully committed to life after football. When asked if the Colts ever reached out about a potential comeback - especially in light of Philip Rivers’ recent return to the field at age 44 - Luck didn’t hesitate.
“Zero,” he said. “So I had zero chances to say no.”
And even if that call had come?
“No thank you… I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
That’s as definitive as it gets. Luck, now serving as the general manager of Stanford’s football program, has firmly planted his cleats on the sidelines - not the field. The man who once looked like a lock for Canton is now building the next generation of players, not gearing up for one last run.
The What-If That Still Lingers in Indy
Luck’s retirement in August 2019 - just weeks before his 30th birthday - sent shockwaves through the league. He was coming off a Pro Bowl season and had just won Comeback Player of the Year in 2018 after battling through a litany of injuries. The Colts were poised for another deep playoff push, but with Luck stepping away, the franchise was forced into quarterback purgatory.
Since then, it’s been a revolving door under center in Indianapolis. The Colts have tried everything: Jacoby Brissett, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew II, Anthony Richardson, and most recently, Daniel Jones. Jones showed flashes, but now he’s a pending free agent with an uncertain future in Indy.
The one exception? A brief playoff appearance in 2020, when a 39-year-old Philip Rivers stepped in and led the Colts to an 11-5 record. It was a solid season, but not the kind of sustained success the franchise envisioned when Luck was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012.
A Career That Still Echoes
Luck’s numbers in just six NFL seasons remain impressive - 23,671 passing yards, 171 touchdowns, and a 60.8% completion rate. He was everything you want in a franchise quarterback: smart, tough, mobile, and a natural leader. Injuries may have shortened his career, but his impact in Indianapolis is still felt today.
And that’s part of why his name continues to surface whenever the Colts find themselves in quarterback trouble - which, let’s be honest, has been often.
But Luck’s message to Rome, and to Colts fans everywhere, was clear: that chapter is closed.
He’s not itching for a comeback. He’s not training in secret.
He’s not waiting for the perfect offer. He’s fully invested in his new role, helping guide Stanford’s program and shaping young athletes from the front office.
Final Word
For fans still holding out hope, Luck’s latest comments should put the speculation to rest. He’s not the next Philip Rivers.
He’s not the emergency call waiting to happen. He’s at peace with his decision, and he’s moved on.
Sometimes, greatness walks away before we’re ready. But if you listen to Andrew Luck now, it sounds like he left at exactly the right time - for him.