Luke

Kuechly

Still only 29, Kuechly could have returned as one of the best defensive players in the league this season, but he decided to quit while he was ahead when it came to injury. “During the season, it’ll be player evaluation and then advance scouting stuff,” Kuechly said of his new gig. “So if we play a team next week, we’ve got to get everything set up and ready to go, so when the coaches come in on Monday, they’re not starting from square one.” Kuechly has previously expressed an openness to coaching, and this could be just the first of many jobs he has on the other side of the line.

Kuechly retired in January, but head coach Matt Rhule made it a point to tell the former captain the door is open for him to remain around the team. The easy comparison for Kuechly is Dan Morgan, another former Panther who transitioned into a scouting role and has now worked his way up to be the Director of Player Personnel for the Bills.

Kuechly is done as a player but wants to “stay involved in some capacity.” He could land an assistant role as soon as 2020. A leader on the field during his eight-year career, Kuechly should make an easy transition if he decides to get into coaching.

The No. 9 overall pick in 2012, Kuechly was only entering his age-29 season, so this is a completely unexpected retirement. The best linebacker for multiple seasons in the 2010s, Kuechly finishes his eight-year career with at least 100 combined tackles in every single season and the third-most tackles before turning 29 in NFL history. His unique blend of speed, aggressiveness, and smarts led Kuechly to a Super Bowl appearance, seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pros, and Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year (2013) honors. Kuechly is easily one of the most accomplished players in Carolina Panthers’ history and will be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite a shorter than normal career. His leadership and reliability will be missed in 2020 and beyond.

Carolina turned $9.05 million of Kuechly’s base salary into a signing bonus, creating $7.24 million of much-needed cap space. Kuechly remains under contract through 2021.

The Panthers held Kuechly out of the offseason program. He’s full-go for training camp after passing his physical. Kuechly was healthy for 15 games last year, but carries some durability risks going into this season.

It’s a nice cherry on top for one of the most productive tacklers in NCAA history. Lande also praises Kuechly’s “speed, instincts, and athleticism,” while calling him the toughest linebacker prospect in the 2012 class. Kuechly might go as early as No. 12 to Seattle, even if that’s a high for a non-rush linebacker.

The Bengals have ammo for a maneuver, and Kuechly played high school ball in Cincinnati. The Bengals are known for drafting hometown kids. More recent signs point to Kuechly potentially being drafted before No. 12, however, which obviously would nix such a trade. The Seahawks are known to be interested in trading down. They’ve been linked to Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower.

The Panthers’ linebackers were decimated with injuries in 2011, with Jon Beason and Thomas Davis both undergoing major surgeries after missing virtually all of last season. This selection is more insurance for Thomas Davis than anything, who is coming off of his third straight ACL tear. They do not come any more productive than Kuechly, who made 532 tackles in three seasons at Boston College. This likely shifts Beason to the weak side with Kuechly taking the reins on the inside.

Buffalo News columnist Jerry Sullivan agrees. Mayock’s projection is especially notable because he’s nailed the last four Bills initial picks (Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Maybin, C.J. Spiller, Marcell Dareus) in pre-draft mocks. The Bills are interested in a trade up or down, but if they stay put they are tentatively expected to draft for defense; either Kuechly or Alabama S Mark Barron.