NFL Notes: Colts and Luck close on contract

When the Colts released Peyton Manning in May, they were simultaneously making a huge commitment to Andrew Luck, who they would take with the No. 1 pick in April’s draft.

However, that commitment is still not official as Luck is yet to sign a contract with Indianapolis.

Colts owner Jim Irsay on Sunday said on his Twitter feed the two sides are close to an agreement.

Luck finished his career at Stanford first all-time in touchdown passes (82), completion percentage (.687), total offense (10,387 yards) and passing efficiency (162.76).

Finley's contract negotiations could benefit other TEs

The Packers put the franchise tag on tight end Jermichael Finely earlier this year. He won’t play under that tag though as he ended up signing a two-year extension with Green Bay.

However, Finely’s tag set a precedent that could help some tight ends in the future as pointed out by Pro Football Talk.

Finley argued he should be classified as a wide receiver when the team placed the franchise tag on him based on the amount of time he was used off of the line in a two-point stance. The franchise tag pays a player the average of the five-highest paid players in the league at that position.

Finley’s contract split the difference between the tag values for receivers and tight ends. One notable player this could benefit is Patriot’s tight end Aaron Hernandez, who lines up off the line on a regular basis with Rob Gronkowski playing on the line.

Steelers turn 79

It’s a special day for the other Pennsylvania NFL team, as the Steelers, who were officially founded on July 8, 1933, celebrate their 79th birthday.

Their name was not the Steelers when they were founded. They were the Pirates until 1940, thanks to a contest administered by the team with the help of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that led to the name they have today.

Find out more on Pittsburgh's history on ProFootballTalk.