Colts hope to extend Luck by July 4th

In news that may help Indianapolis Colts fans forget about a dreadful 2015 season, Jim Irsay hopes to have a new contract for star quarterback Andrew Luck finished by July Fourth, the outspoken team owner told reporters at the NFL's annual spring meetings on Tuesday.

The Independence Day deadline doesn't correspond with any key league dates or motives other than an extra reason for fireworks in Indianapolis that weekend.

Luck is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to earn a record-breaking amount in the nine-figure range.

The 26-year-old signal-caller has thrown for 14,838 yards and 101 touchdowns in 55 career regular-season games for the Colts since being drafted first overall in 2012. Luck missed nine games in 2015 with reported injuries to his kidney, ribs, ankle, and shoulder. It was the first time he had missed a game in his NFL career.