NFL Rumors: Indianapolis Colts Mull over Andrew Luck Trade

Jan 04, 2016 11:37 AM EST

The Indianapolis Colts started the NFL regular season raring to avenge themselves from the criticisms following their final match against the New England Patriots. However, the Andrew Luck squad saw the season slip away from their grasp as they fail to make the playoffs. To add insult to injury, the Tom Brady team is currently one of the contenders to bring once again home the Super Bowl trophy. With a record of 8-8, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves out of the field and in the spectators' post for the rest of the football season.

Given the disappointing run of the Robert Mathis squad this NFL season, it was widely expected that the front office would be implementing changes. However, it was shocking for the players to learn that Chuck Pagano might be getting the boot soon. The Indianapolis Colts head coach himself appeared to have acknowledged the said fate, delivering an emotional speech after their recent win over the Tennessee Titans. Although the Indianapolis Colts stars expressed their "100 percent" support of Pagano, the rumored rift of the coach against general manager Ryan Grigson might just be the last straw to break the former's stint in the NFL team.

Should Pagano exit the Indianapolis Colts following an abysmal NFL season, some experts feel that the same fate might be in store for Luck. The quarterback had been reported to have incurred various injuries which include shoulder issues and a lacerated kidney. Luck sat out quite many football matches this year due to his health concerns. Given the reported mindset of the Indianapolis Colts officials, it is deemed reasonable that a new and healthier quarterback could be making an entrance soon.

"Football players want to play football," shared Luck following his injury and the subsequent decision to bench him, according to ESPN. The quarterback added, "You want to be out there playing. You feel like you're letting teammates down. You feel like you're letting people down. You watch (Hasselbeck) and Charlie (Whitehurst) battle and fight and be warriors. I watch Frank Gore playing his butt off week in and week out (and) you want to be out there with those guys. When you can't, it stinks."

Pagano echoed the disappointment of Luck in his inability to play. One of the main reasons for the Indianapolis Colts' frustrating season is the absence of the formidable quarterback in the lineup. Moreover, the lack of leaders in the field worsened the situation.

"Is he frustrated? Heck yeah," revealed Pagano of Luck's reaction over his health issues. The Indianapolis Colts head coach added, "He's a competitive, competitive guy. You know that. This is really his first taste of being sidelined, and it's hard because he feels that I need to be there for the team, my teammates and all that stuff. At the same time, you've got to be patient, you've got to listen to the doctors and you've got to go through the protocol so to speak. You've got to do your rehab, you've got to mend and you've got to heal. Frustrated? Yeah."