In a shocking move last week, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly retired from the NFL after eight seasons. The All-Pro defender had a history of concussion issues, so while many were surprised by the news, they weren’t shocked.
But could Kuechly’s career continue in the NFL? And could it be with the Buffalo Bills?
While the Bills nor any NFL team were mentioned in the report, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said this weekend that Kuechly has already had the idea of becoming a coach in the NFL on his mind.
“I just don’t think we’ve seen the last of Luke Kuechly in the NFL,” Garafolo said. “This is something he’s spoken to some folks about, at least prematurely about, and it’s the possibility of returning in a coaching role or some kind of consulting role.”
While purely speculation, a betting man has to consider the Bills as one of his top options. The Buffalo and Carolina connections are well documented, whether it’s players or coaches. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane highlight that group.
With those two in mind, they spent extensive time with Kuechly in Carolina. Plus, the Bills are no strangers to something else.
In what role could Kuechly join the Bills coaching staff? Linebackers coach? Well Buffalo already has Bob Babich there, who’s littered with coaching experience and is a pretty highly touted guy himself. In fact, his son, Bobby Babich, is Buffalo’s safeties coach.
Still, the Bills could certainly just… make up a job for Kuechly, of sorts.
Assistant linebackers coach? Offensive assistant? Something with the word consultant, as Garafolo mentions?
The options are endless, and the Bills have done it before.
Brian Gaine left the Bills in 2018 to become the Houston Texans’ general manager. When fired, he came right back to Buffalo. But the Bills had already brought on Dan Morgan to replace him.
Gaine was Buffalo’s vice president of player personnel and Morgan was hired as the director of player personnel. The Bills re-inserted Gaine as a senior personnel advisor in 2019, his current role.
Luke Kuechly, senior assistant personnel consultant linebackers coach?
You get the idea, and would be an interesting hire considering the Bills no longer have Lorenzo Alexander’s guidance and Frank Gore’s status is up in the air.
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