Could Marcus Mariota, Other QBs Face Similar Fate to Andrew Luck?

Share This Post

Is there an important lesson that the Tennessee Titans can learn in regards to how Andrew Luck’s retirement relates to Marcus Mariota? When news broke that the AFC South favorite Indianapolis Colts’ star quarterback would decline the opportunity to compete on a team whose owner guaranteed a Super Bowl championship, the immediate social media reactions displayed a rejoicing Titans fan base. While this increases Tennessee’s odds to win the AFC South in 2019, everyone should consider how Indianapolis and Luck reached this point. The ramifications of this decision could change the way that players manage their football careers and life afterwards.

How Did the Indianapolis Colts and Andrew Luck Reach this Point?

Flashback to the 2012 NFL Draft. The Colts drafted Luck with the No. 1 pick. He was drafted as the heir-apparent to Peyton Manning. The Colts weren’t willing to re-sign Manning after he missed the entire 2011 NFL season because of a neck that had undergone four surgical procedures. Manning spent his last four seasons with the Denver Broncos. Those four seasons amounted to his fifth MVP honor, two Super Bowl appearances, and a Super Bowl championship (2015-16).

Those are big shoes to fill. It wasn’t realistic to expect Luck to live up to the hype that followed him out of Stanford University. He did well though. Luck finished each of his first three seasons leading his team to 11-5 records with playoff berths. None of them finished with a Super Bowl appearance. This upcoming 2019 NFL season—previously expected as his age 29 season and seventh overall—was supposed to present him his greatest opportunity for his first title. The Colts finally constructed a roster with an offensive line that could protect its multimillionaire quarterback entering his prime years.

It never happened. Two weeks before the season started and during an Indianapolis preseason game, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported the following:

I was half asleep when my ears caught the news from a television across the other side of the house. Instantly awaken. A few minutes earlier, I had wondered why ESPN’s website was down. Following the game, Luck addressed the media in a post-game press conference. Luck claimed that years of rehabilitation and never getting healthy had taken its toll on his love for the game. He cited his early retirement as the hardest decision of his life. Colts owner Jim Irsay estimated that an early retirement meant that Luck could’ve potentially surrendered $500 million over the course of his career.

Everyone remembers that Luck was 11-0 against the Titans. What they don’t remember is that the Titans are largely responsible for Luck’s deteriorating health. His first significant injury came during a 2015 victory against Tennessee. Luck suffered a sprained shoulder that cost him the next two games. Luck never resolved that injury until he opted for shoulder surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2017 season. From 2015-19, Luck’s major injuries included a lacerated kidney that created bloody urine, torn abdomen, torn rib cartilage, a 2016 concussion against the Titans, and his recent calf strain.

Four years of nonstop rehabilitation. One injury healed, another injury surfaced. Luck had to decide between health and wealth. Money isn’t everything. Nor is it the only thing. Financial wealth doesn’t always restore physical wealth. Andrew Luck understands this. He sees the league ignore pleas from former players like Le’Ron McClain. Luck wants to enjoy the rest of his life along with the ventures he explores outside of football.

Are There Similarities Between Andrew Luck and Marcus Mariota?

The Colts reached this point because they failed to protect their investment. What about Marcus Mariota and the Titans? Just revisit his 2018 injury resume. Award-winning writer Paul Kuharsky reported the following ailments:

  • Ulnar nerve damage in throwing elbow. That injury occurred Week 1.
  • Neck stinger that was re-aggravated later in the season.
  • Significant tear of the plantar fascia that completely tore later in the season.
  • Cracked vertebra
  • Strained oblique
  • Broken rib
  • Sprained AC shoulder joint

Mind you—that was only 2018. Injuries kept Mariota from finishing three of his first four seasons. Those four seasons have included 140 sacks (130 regular season, 10 playoffs). Compare that to Luck’s first four seasons: 123 sacks (115 regular season, eight playoffs). These numbers don’t account for either quarterback’s tendency to use their mobility and aggressiveness to take extra hits.

People always debate whether Mariota’s lofty sack totals are due to his offensive line, coaching, indecisiveness, or a combination of these factors. What isn’t debatable: Mariota can’t keep taking so much punishment. The Titans must reduce the amount of hits he takes. Otherwise, Mariota may become the next quarterback whose body will make the retirement decision instead of his heart.

Titans fans understand how injuries can derail the trajectory of a quarterback’s career. One year before the Colts used the 2012 No. 1 pick on Luck, the Titans used the 2011 No. 8 pick on a franchise quarterback: Jake Locker. After Matt Hasselbeck spent 2011 as a stopgap quarterback, the Titans used the next three years trying to develop Locker. Locker never stayed healthy long enough to get a real chance. Despite a reported 10 teams wanting to sign him, Locker decided to retire at age 26. He made $12.5 million. His priorities shifted to family and faith.

Is it possible for Marcus Mariota to ever ponder early retirement? It’s not likely, but you never know. We’ve seen it happen to a quarterback who made a fraction of what Mariota has already made in his four-year, $24.2-million rookie contract. In 2019, Mariota will perform on a $20.9-million fifth-year option. This season will determine his future earnings.

Could Early Retirements Become a Trend?

When compared to previous eras, analysts always point out that quarterbacks are pampered. What they don’t consider is that the increased amount of passing attempts lead to more opportunities for quarterback hits and sacks. Defenders are larger and faster than ever before. No matter what rules are made to protect quarterbacks, violent collisions will exist. That doesn’t even account for the hits created from running. Mobile quarterbacks aren’t protected when they transition into running backs or wildcats.

Could early retirements become a trend? Analysts have talked about more quarterbacks playing well into their 40s, e.g. Tom Brady and Drew Brees. These are pocket-passers who’ve spent most of their careers with quality protection. What about this shift toward mobile passers who take more hits because of their running style? They don’t receive the same protection when they break the pocket and become running backs. Some of them refuse to slide when faced with incoming linebackers and safeties. That’s a large reason for why Luck was forced into early retirement.

What about a quarterback market where Top 15 quarterbacks can demand $40 million per season? A quarterback plays a couple seasons into that deal, starts having serious injury issues, has already banked more than enough money to live comfortably, doesn’t fancy multiple mansions, etc.? Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer cited another possible candidate for early retirement: Carson Wentz.

Franchise quarterbacks receive extraordinary salaries because it’s a position that provides organizational stability. A healthy quarterback situation should mean title opportunities. Is there a point where salaries become so extravagant that this works against ownership? Franchise quarterbacks prematurely retire having already banked $100 million, leaving the organization having to rely on its current backup quarterbacks and/or the draft? What does organization do if player decides to end an early retirement?

At what point does health get prioritized over a certain level of wealth? For example, is $150 million of earnings with severe pain throughout life more favorable than $50 million of life earnings and moderate pain? How many wealthy actors and musicians have enjoyed financial abundance yet endured so much emotional distress that they chose suicide? Now throw in enough physical distress that one can’t even roll over in bed without constant reminders of his playing days that he can barely remember because of CTE issues.

Protect This House. Marcus Mariota is the Homeowner

Quarterback protection is a must. While quarterbacks don’t take as many hits as the bulkier running backs, quarterbacks often don’t have the chance to brace for impact of hits from linemen that weigh 300-plus pounds or 260-pound linebackers storming in with their 4.5 40-yard dash speed. If players continue getting bigger and faster, then so will the collisions. NFL players are becoming little more than glorified crash test dummies.

Maybe the No. 1 storyline surrounding Marcus Mariota isn’t about his long-term financial well-being. Maybe it’s reducing those sack totals so he doesn’t face an early retirement during his 20s. Or worse yet, become the next Le’Ron McClain. Or Junior Seau.

Protect this house. Protect your homeowner.

MORE

As Marcus Mariota Enters Fifth NFL Season, the Honeymoon is Over

NBA Load Management: Where Amazing Never Happens

Athletes, Leagues Must Address Fan Misconduct on Social Media, at Live Events  

MLB or NFL? Kyler Murray Decision Isn’t Complicated 

WWE Must Start Creating Larger-Than-Life Stars

Joshua Huffman was born in Middle Tennessee. He has published content for Yahoo! Sports (via Contributor Network) and Titan Sized, among other venues. At SoBros, he’ll provide Daily Fantasy Sports suggestions and broad sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter (although I rarely use it).

Check out the SoBros Shop. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore