Ryan Grigson Says Andrew Luck's Contract Has Impacted Colts Defense

The Indianapolis Colts are searching for answers after a 1-3 start, and general manager Ryan Grigson says one problem is the Colts are unable to build a defense because of quarterback Andrew Luck's contract.

"When you pay Andrew what we did, it's going to take some time to build on the other side of the ball," Grigson said Friday on Jay Mohr Sports (h/t Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star).

Luck signed a contract extension with the Colts in June worth $140 million over six years through 2021, including an NFL-record $87 million in guaranteed money.

Paying any player that amount of money, even a quarterback, is going to have a negative impact on your roster. However, Luck's cap hits are not so exorbitant that it will prevent the Colts from making moves to upgrade the team.

Season	Cap Hit (Millions)
2016	$18.4
2017	$19.4
2018	$24.4
2019	$27.525
2020	$28.4
2021	$21

The continued rise of the salary cap gives NFL franchises more flexibility than ever, even as they are paying quarterbacks record-setting money seemingly every year.

Grigson's reasons that the Colts are unable to build a defense ring hollow, given that there's more money available for teams to play with and the way the Colts have drafted since he took over as general manager in 2012.

Luck entered the NFL in 2012, leading the Colts to a surprise playoff appearance as a rookie before taking them to the AFC Championship Game in 2014. There was a lot of smoke and mirrors during that two-year stretch.

Bjoern Werner was a first-round bust from the 2013 draft. Grigson traded a 2014 first-round pick to acquire running back Trent Richardson. Phillip Dorsett was a workout warrior at the combine in 2015, but hindsight being what it is, Landon Collins or Eric Kendricks would look much better in Colts uniforms.

This was the first year under Grigson's watch the Colts really invested in defense and the offensive line through the draft.

It's nice to have money available to spend on big-time free agents, but the reason the Colts are in their current predicament is because Grigson has done a poor job building a team through the draft—not because of Luck's contract.