There will be plenty of aftershock following the shocking announcement Saturday night that Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is retiring.

But with the NFL season just two weeks from commencing, the Colts have no choice but to turn the page — as difficult as that may be. Jacoby Brissett will be under center in 14 days when the Colts play the Chargers in Carson, California, and Colts brass effusively praised the 26-year-old as they prepare for Life After Luck.

“We’re not gonna ask Jacoby Brissett to be Andrew Luck; Andrew Luck was a unique football player. But Jacoby Brissett is a winning football player in this league,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said Saturday night. “Jacoby Brissett is a rare, rare leader. He is. He’s a rare human being, man. That locker room loves Jacoby Brissett.

“This is a special guy, man. I’m excited to watch him play.”

Brissett was a third-round pick by the Patriots in the 2016 NFL Draft. After backing up Tom Brady as a rookie, Brissett was traded to the Colts at the start of the 2017 season with Luck’s status in doubt following shoulder surgery. Luck ended up missing the entire year, and Brissett took over the reins in Week 2, finishing the season with 3,098 yards passing, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions along with 260 yards rushing and four rushing TDs. He compiled a 4-11 record while being sacked a league-high 52 times.

The Colts have an improved offensive line and are coming off a 2018 in which they won a wild-card playoff game before losing to the Chiefs in the divisional round. They fully expect to compete with Brissett under center.

“We are ready to go to battle, and we have tremendous certainty that Jacoby is a guy that can change this narrative,” owner Jim Irsay said.

Brissett and Luck developed a bond over the last two years, and head coach Frank Reich said Luck’s retirement is tough on the Colts’ new starter. But Luck will still be there for him.

“Cannot wait to support him and see him lead this team,” Luck said of Brissett. “Excited for the future of the Colts, in large part because of Jacoby.”