Report: Person close to Andrew Luck would be ‘stunned’ if QB returned to football

The Indianapolis Colts have left the door open for Andrew Luck to return to the team if he changes his mind about retirement at any point, but they probably should not be counting on it.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said at Luck’s farewell press conference over the weekend that “it’s possible” the 29-year-old could have a change of heart. Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman wrote on Wednesday that the Colts also privately believe there is a chance, but a person who knows Luck told Freeman he would be “stunned” if the former No. 1 overall pick ever played again.

For what it’s worth, Luck has not entirely ruled out a return to football. However, he made it seem highly unlikely.

“I can’t see the future, but I very clearly in my mind see that I won’t (play again),” Luck told the media on Saturday.

The Colts have chosen not to seek reimbursement for the nearly $25 million Luck would have been contractually obligated to pay them back, and there are two reasons for that. The first is that they respect what he has done for the organization and all the difficult injuries he has battled through. The second — and perhaps most important — is that they want to remain on the best possible terms with Luck in case he does decide he wants to return to football.

Luck has a degree from Stanford in architectural design, and we have already heard some post-retirement ideas thrown around that probably are not going to materialize. He made it clear that his constant cycle of injury, pain and rehab took the joy out of football, and there’s no reason to think that will change as the months or years pass.