The Commanders didn't make a collect call to Andrew Luck, but it might end up be pricey anyway. That is, if Jim Irsay has his say.
A recent report by ESPN says that the Commanders exhausted all options to find a quarterback last offseason, which isn't new news. In 2022, reports indicated that Washington put in a phone call to retired quarterback Andrew Luck, which suddenly has the Colts owner up in arms.
Irsay took to Twitter on Sunday night to remind teams that anyone who tries to pry Luck from Indianapolis would be in violation of the league's tampering policy.
"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," Irsay tweeted.
MORE: Who is buying the Commanders? What to know with Daniel Snyder on his way out
It's not just sour grapes. Because the Colts still have Luck's contract rights, any team that tries to try and contact Luck means they are in violation of the NFL's Anti-Tampering Policy.
Under no circumstances should a new club rely upon any written or oral representation by a player or his agent that he has received permission to enter into discussions for a trade or negotiations for a contract. Nor should a new club rely upon a letter from the employer club to the agent or player granting such permission since employer clubs typically reserve the right to withdraw permission at any time, and may have already done so. Permission must be received by the new club directly from the employer club and should be in writing to protect the interests of both clubs.
The NFL holds the final say in any type of punishment levied against the tampering club. The Dolphins lost a 2023 first-round pick for tampering with both Tom Brady and Sean Payton in recent years.
Those rumors were put to rest by Nicki Jhabvala, who covers the Commanders for the Washington Post and said that a source told her that Luck's camp was not contacted by the organization.
MORE: NFL Draft grades — How the Commanders fared in 2023 draft
The Commanders' QB search for 2023 has already been settled. Sam Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick, is seemingly getting the opportunity to start come Week 1. Washington did little to reinvest in its quarterback room this offseason, signing only Jacoby Brissett and opting not to draft a passer in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Safe to say, their luck has run out on the pursuit of another former NFL passer.