Andrew Luck
Getty
Former Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck
Former Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl tight end Eric Ebron had a bold claim about what led to the retirement of former star quarterback Andrew Luck.
Ebron claimed Colts general manager Chris Ballard gave Luck an ultimatum that played a part in the QB’s retirement.
“Andrew then decides, he doesn’t tell anybody this, he’s so tired of injury and just doesn’t want to do surgery,” Ebron states. “You know who the man is around there who gets on everybody’s nerves. Big drawers over there behind that desk [Chris Ballard]… He tells Andrew, ‘You’re either playing this year, or we’re moving on.'”
The former Colts quarterback recently released a statement in response to his former teammates’ claim.
Andrew Luck Responds to “Ultimatum” Claim from Eric Ebron
Eric Ebron Andrew Luck
GettyFormer Colts tight end Eric Ebron and quarterback Andrew Luck played together in the 2018 season
Andrew Luck, a four-time Pro Bowl and 2018 Comeback Player of the Year winner with the Indianapolis Colts, shocked the NFL world when he retired shortly before the start of the 2019 season.
The quarterback revealed that numerous injuries led him to call it a career, but recent chatter has opened a conversation about what led to the former Stanford Cardinal’s retirement.
According to Mike Chappell of Fox 59, the former quarterback sent an email to the publication in response to Eric Ebron.
“Chris and I had a wonderful partnership, especially through my decision to retire, and we remain close,’’ Luck said in an email to FOX59/CBS4. “Any notion of internal pressures that influenced my decision are without merit.”
This seems to shut down Eric Ebron’s claim that general manager Chris Ballard gave the star quarterback an ultimatum that led to his decision to end his career early.
In his time in the league, Luck suffered numerous injuries, including a labrum tear (which forced him to miss the 2017 season), lacerated kidneys, concussions and sprains/strains in his leg.
Andrew Luck threw for 23,671 yards and 171 touchdown passes in his 6-year career, all with the Indianapolis Colts.
Colts Finally Find Long-Term Option After Andrew Luck
Daniel Jones Deal
GettyThe Colts have found their new franchise quarterback option
It might have taken the Indianapolis Colts 7 seasons, but the team has finally found a long-term option after Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement.
Daniel Jones signed a one-year deal in the 2025 free agency and was on track to have his best passing season in the NFL before suffering multiple leg injuries.
The Colts made it a priority to bring Jones back for the 2026 and agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract, with an upside of $100 million. with the quarterback.
Jones recorded 3,101 passing yards and 19 touchdown passes in his first year as part of the Colts organization.
Heading into year 2 with head coach Shane Steichen, Daniel Jones can continue to build off his strong season (which lasted 13 games) and play as one of the better quarterbacks in the league.