INDIANAPOLIS -- First coach Chuck Pagano said it. And now veteran Matt Hasselbeck is saying the same thing.
Andrew Luck will be the Indianapolis Colts' starting quarterback once he’s 100 percent healthy from his lacerated kidney and partially torn abdominal muscle.
“I know the truth, I know what reality is,” Hasselbeck said. “This is 100 percent Andrew Luck’s team. Not only is he the quarterback of the future, he’s been the quarterback of the past. He has earned every bit of respect that he gets in this locker room. Nothing has been given to him. It’s his team. I think he and I are clear on that.”
The only reason the question was even asked is because Hasselbeck is 4-0 starting in place of Luck, who is 2-5 and has thrown 12 interceptions this season. No timetable has been set for when Luck will return.
Pagano called the idea of keeping Hasselbeck as the starter “ludicrous” earlier this week.
Luck had high praise for how Hasselbeck has played.
“He’s done a heck of a job and he’s a heck of a quarterback,” Luck said. “He’s probably playing at a Pro Bowl level right now. It is fun to watch.”