3 ways Andrew Luck’s retirement affects the Steelers
On Saturday Evening, Steelers Nation and football fans alike were left in disbelief with the unexpected announcement of Colts Quarterback, Andrew Luck’s retirement.
While it is still tough to process Adam Schefter’s tweet, the retirement of Andrew Luck will have major implications on many NFL teams, including the Steelers. In the constantly changing NFL, there are three ways this could impact the Steelers.
The 2019 matchup and playoff implications
The Steelers host the Colts on November 3rd. While Jacoby Brissett is a capable starter, he is not quite as talented and seasoned as Andrew Luck. This could create a matchup advantage—but there is plenty of time to prepare between now and then.
This also brings into question the productivity of the Colts offense and how it will impact the outcome of their games. It could be a scenario, if the Colts struggle, the Steelers have one less team to worry about nipping at their heels for a playoff spot (as Still Curtain Expert Tommy Jaggi suggests.)
Potential quarterback trade
If the Colts aren’t sold on Brissett as their future, or just need additional insurance, they could look to trade for a quarterback as early as this season. One might suggest Josh Dobbs or Mason Rudolph would become a candidate.
The preference for the Colts between these two would be Rudolph. Rudolph’s improvement on display this preseason makes that a tougher decision for the Steelers front office. The offer would have to be one they can’t refuse.
A Dobbs insurance trade for a late-round pick could make sense for both sides. He’d get to work with Frank Reich who helped lead Nick Foles to a Super Bowl victory. This could be an ideal trade if they are sold on Brissett as a temporary solution and want additional insurance.
The 2020 NFL Draft
Of course, the biggest way this will ultimately affect all NFL teams is the draft in 2020. This will ultimately depend on how the 2019 season progresses.
If the Colts have a bad year, this will likely lead to a high quarterback selection. If they perform well under Brissett, they might not look at that market. In either scenario, the trickle-down effect could influence the Steelers’ draft based on picks ahead of them.
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The aftermath will surely be as unpredictable as the retirement itself. The Steelers and the rest of the NFL will go about their business until a 317 area code call hits their line—whether it’s now or in April 2020. Keep a close eye on how this plays out as it could create major shock waves in the NFL.