Commanders unlikely to face punishment for Andrew Luck tampering allegations

The Washington Commanders are not expected to receive punishment related to allegations they tampered with retired Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, according to a report.

The Washington Post reported late Sunday that the NFL is unlikely to take action on the issue. One source told the paper that “there’s not enough hard evidence” that the Commanders pursued Luck and that the case is “probably going to fade away.”

Earlier this month, ESPN published a story that said the Commanders “even phoned the retired Andrew Luck” during the team’s pursuit of a quarterback last year. Though the line was later changed to how Washington “phoned about Andrew Luck,” the detail gained traction on social media and within the Colts. Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay sent out a strongly worded tweet that read “if any NFL Team, attempted to contact Andrew Luck (or any associate of him) … to play for their Franchise — it would be a clear Violation of the League’s Tampering Policy.”

After Irsay’s tweet, the Colts asked the NFL to look into the matter. Even though Luck retired abruptly in 2019, the Colts still hold the quarterback’s contractual rights — which means a team would need the Colts’ permission to speak to Luck about playing football again.

Over the last year, there have been two notable tampering cases in the NFL. Last August, the Miami Dolphins were docked a first-round pick, and the NFL fined and suspended Miami owner Stephen Ross for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy on three occasions related to conversations with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton — who were then under contract with different teams.

In April, the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals announced they agreed to a draft-day trade because of a tampering charge. The Cardinals admitted to impermissible contact with then-Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who later became Arizona’s coach after the Super Bowl. In this case, the NFL was made aware of the issue, though allowed the teams to work out the matter on their own.

ESPN reported Monday that the situation has been resolved to the Colts’ satisfaction as the Commanders “never spoke to Luck or anyone in his immediate circle and, therefore, did not violate the NFL’s anti-tampering policy,” a source told the network.