I agree that hypothetically Luck on the right team could have had a much better career - maybe even a HOF one. Similar arguments could be had for hundreds of players across the league but the reality is he played where he played and his results were ultimately disappointing. I don't hate Luck but I also never worried about the Patriots playing him unlike a number of other QBs of this era.
In regards to the bolded, to an extent but most players don't have HOF potential. Not a HOF career but you saw that type of potential in Luck in college (hence the generational prospect talk, #1 overall etc) and his play on a gods awful team backs that up.
As for not fearing him, I'm sure no one did on that team. Those teams were a joke. We had both goats and he had absolutely no one. That said literally every GM in the league would have thought about taking him over their current QB around 2012-2016.
Too each their own but your line of thinking is too black & white, a little too casual for me with all due respect. Context matters and watching Manning, Luck closely a few things stood out. The biggest thing is the fact that Indy asked them to play hero ball a lot. They were trying to score 20 points with every pass, type of deal.
It's actually a testament to how great both were. Both came out the gates ready. Luck more so than 99.9% of QB's entering the league. Luck was throwing 4K 20+ TD from his rookie year ... I love this board but every QB is terrible besides Brady. Esp his peers who he played against, they're all garbage, chokers and overrated. It's tough to take someone serious with that attitude or line of thinking.
I mean the guy was playing outstanding, with numerous injuries. Sure he played reckless once and a great while. That's what happens when your OL is trash. Defense is giving up the most points in the history of the game. Chuck Pag's is your coach. Owner is a walking pharmacy while you're actually banged up. And since we're talking "weapons", let's look at Luck's ... Trent Richardson, Ahmed Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, Reggie Wayne, TY, Fleener, Dwayne Allen & Griff Whalen. Nicks & Wayne were done, out of the league the next year in 2016 I believe. Same for Bradshaw. Richardson was putrid. Luck went for 4761 - 40 TD/18 INT. That is QB elevating players past their prime, making it work when nothing is easy & putting a team on his back.
Not trying to argue I just think there's some groupthink on this board at times on certain topics.