Luke Kuechly makes appearance at Buffalo Bills training camp

Luke Kuechly makes appearance at #Bills training camp (via @NateMendelson):

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Former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly made a surprise appearance at Bills camp on Monday. The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro wasn’t decked out in his Carolina blue, instead opting for a Buffalo hue and a few Bills logos. Kuechly played for head coach Sean McDermott during his entire tenure as defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers, helping lead the league’s number one defense to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2015-16 season.

“I think he’s a great source for Tremaine [Edmunds] and Matt [Milano],” former teammate Star Lotulelei said. “They’re both Boston College guys but really anybody in that room can learn so much from Luke. How to be professional, how to be great at his position. He’s such a smart player in how he saw the field and how he saw plays. I think these guys are a little spoiled having Luke in there. I’d take advantage of it if I were anybody in that room.”

But don’t call it a comeback. Kuechly is firmly retired at just 30 years old. He left the game just three months shy of his 29th birthday after an eight-year career in Carolina. He’s quoted saying he still wants to play but no longer feels it’s the right decision.

Plus he’s still under contract with the Panthers. If he wanted to play again he would have to be traded to Buffalo like Rob Gronkowski was traded from New England to Tampa Bay after retiring for one season.

Kuechly is the first former Carolina player the Bills have had at practice. In years past, Kyle Williams returned during camp to work with the defensive line while Lorenzo Alexander has worked with the linebackers each of the past two seasons since announcing his retirement.

Kuechly was seen chatting consistently with Tremaine Edmunds during individuals and watched on during 11-on-11 sessions. Kuechly sang the linebacker praises during joint Bills and Panthers practices in 2019.

“He’s big, he’s athletic, he runs, he’s long. He’s like the perfect body type for this defense. McDermott’s got this great defense that I think he’s going to thrive in it,” Kuechly said.

With connections to both McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane it seems if there’s a spot open to coach, the Bills will take all they can get from the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.

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