Luke Kuechly not fond of leaving Panthers despite retirement

Despite retiring, Luke Kuechly is not leaving the Panthers

Luke Kuechly sent shockwaves through the NFL to start this crazy offseason when he announced his retirement after just eight seasons. Despite hanging up his cleats, he cannot seem to step away from the Carolina Panthers.

Five All-Pro teams made, a six-time Pro Bowler, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Kuechly moves on to the next chapter of his life in football at just the age of 29 years old. Nearly 700 solo tackles, 75 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 18 interceptions, 66 passes defended, and seven forced fumbles, Kuechly is a probable first ballot Hall of Famer.

They did not draft his replacement in the 2020 NFL Draft, opting for Auburn defensive tackle, and may be in the Tank for Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes should things with Teddy Bridgewater not pan out. It may now be up to Kuechly to find his own replacement.

Just a few months away from the game, Kuechly and the Panthers reunite, this time as the future Hall of Fame linebacker returns to Carolina with their scouting department. Given his instincts for the game, it will more than likely take Kuechly no time at all to get a knack for the scouting game as he adjusts to his new life off the field.

"“I think it’ll be different in the sense that we’re not necessarily looking for scheme as we are players… Are the players good? What’s their skillset? What are they good at? What are they not good at?… I’ve never really done anything like this, so I’m just going to take it a day at a time and see what I think… I think it’ll be fun. It’s still going to be football. It’s still going to be around good people. That’s what matters.” (via Panthers)"

Looking to follow in the footsteps of former NFL players to work their way up a front office food chain, Kuechly looks to join the ranks of John Dorsey, John Lynch, and more. Once the big fish in a small pond, the former first rounder is now at the bottom of the totem pole once again.

If there is one thing that has been evident over nearly the last decade, it has been that Kuechly is dominant. Most of this domination has been due to his wits and instincts on the field. While Kuechly no longer has to run, jump, and tackle, these smarts will translate to his new role as a scout.