Tag: Luke Kuechly

Rob Gronkowski mocks the media after seeing Luke Kuechly’s retirement decision

Gronk’s got jokes.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski only felt it was fair to treat Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly like Gronk was treated.

So when Kuechly made the surprising decision to announce his retirement, Gronk made sure to congratulate Kuechly on his successes on the field on Twitter. But then Gronk quickly followed up: “when are you coming back??” That was the refrain he heard from the media when he retired. For much of the 2019 season, he brought on more questions by being non-committal. He would waver (sometimes nightly) on if he might return for the 2019 season. But he stayed retired, and it seems Kuechly is confident and comfortable in his retirement, too.

Kuechly, 28, was one of the NFL’s best linebackers during his eight-year career, but he suffered a number of injuries, including three documented concussions. The Panthers linebacker addressed his retirement in a Twitter video on Tuesday.

“It makes me sad because I love playing this game,” Kuechly said. “I’ve played it since I was a kid. It’s my favorite thing to do in the world. The memories I have from this place and this organization and being on the field with these guys, they will never go away. … There’s only one way to play this game since I was a little kid — play fast, play physical and play strong. At this point, I don’t know if I am able to do that anymore, and that’s the part that is the most difficult.

“I still want to play, but I don’t think it’s the right decision.”

While it’s tough to see the NFL lose one of the league’s most talented players, it’s terrific to see players like Kuechly feeling empowered to step away from the game, considering the heath risks associated with football.

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Eric Weddle calls Luke Kuechly a legend after LB’s shocking retirement

Here’s how Eric Weddle reacted to Luke Kuechly’s unexpected retirement announcement.

For the second straight year, the NFL lost one of its best young players to an unexpected retirement announcement. Last offseason, Andrew Luck decided to call it a career before turning 30, and now, Luke Kuechly is doing the same.

On Tuesday night, he announced his retirement with an emotional video, stepping away from football after eight years in the NFL. He has a history of concussions and said he doesn’t feel like he can continue to play a fast and physical style of football – which he says is required to play at the highest level.

Rams safety Eric Weddle reacted to the news by calling Kuechly a legend, saying the NFL “lost a great one.”

Rams cornerback David Long Jr. was also shocked by the news, sharing this tweet after Kuechly’s announcement.

Kuechly is one of the best linebackers to come into the NFL in the last decade, making seven Pro Bowls and being a five-time All-Pro selection. He also won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

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Luke Kuechly’s legacy is about more than just football

What will stick with me more than anything was how Kuechly managed to do it.

This one hurt. For any impartial observer, objective analyst or mere fan of football, the sudden retirement of Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly leaves the NFL a lesser place than it was before his exit.

Whether Kuechly or Bobby Wagner was actually the better middle linebacker will likely be debated for many years. There’s no questioning the impact that Kuechly made on the sport, though. For eight years, he played his position as well as anybody and in some ways he set a new standard for off-ball linebackers.

The numbers speak for themselves. Kuechly tallied over 1,000 combined tackles during his time in the league. 75 of them went for a loss. In addition to stout run defense, Kuechly was masterful in coverage. His ball skills could compare favorably even with some of the top defensive backs in the game. In the end, Kuechly posted 18 interceptions and 66 pass breakups. He had a nose for the ball, too. Kuechly forced seven fumbles and recovered nine of them. Throw in another 12.5 sacks and you’ll see why he will go down as one of the best defenders to ever do it.

Kuechly’s real legacy goes deeper than just the stats or the wins he helped the Panthers secure during his remarkable eight-year run. What we will remember most is how Kuechly managed to do it.

Athleticism helped make Kuechly into a great linebacker, but it was his dedication to film and preparation that made him a generational talent. Kuechly approached every opponent with a level of detail that matched some of the most committed competitors of our time. Like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, Kuechly elevated himself to an elite level of play by paying fanatical attention to the little things.

Watch Kuechly break down this clip of Giants running back Saquon Barkley as part of Amazon’s All or Nothing season featuring the Panthers.

Kuechly’s understanding of and passion for the game here is transparent. He genuinely loved this part of his job.

Sometimes, you could see that work ethic paying off in real time. Kuechly developed a habit of predicting what the offense was doing, calling out the play and shutting it down. Other all-time great linebackers like Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher were no slouches in this area and had their own unique qualities, but for my money Kuechly was better at this part of the game than anyone we’ve seen in the modern era.

Preparing for and playing the game the right way only begins to tell the story, though. By all accounts, Kuechly is a genuinely excellent person who has always treated everyone around him with respect and kindness. The outpouring of affection and respect that his teammates and rivals are showing on social media right now show what kind of man he is.

There’s a common thread in many of those tweets about No. 59: he was pure and true to himself. It’s an increasingly rare quality for a person to be genuine, but Kuechly’s authenticity has always shined through.

When we had a chance to interview Kuechly back in November of 2017, we asked about his legacy and his process. We also wanted to know more about the person, though. When we asked what he bought with his first NFL paycheck he answered that he always wanted a big comfortable couch, so that’s what he got. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with you.

Kuechly’s humility is extremely refreshing in an era when so many people (professional athletes and otherwise) get lost in their own hype. It may also be the primary quality that helped Kuechly excel at what he did.

Hopefully, his efforts will land him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day. If not, it will take exactly nothing away from what he’s accomplished. Congratulations to a one-of-a-kind individual on an exemplary career.

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Michael Thomas salutes Luke Kuechly’s decision to retire

New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas hates to see one of his favorite rivals, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, retire so soon

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is one of the NFL’s fastest-rising stars, but even he was taken aback at the news that Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was retiring, stepping away from the game at 28. The list of players who get repeatedly recognized as first-team All-Pros is brief, but Thomas and Kuechly were part of that small fraternity despite their usual status as division rivals.

So Thomas took some time Tuesday evening to express his appreciation for what Kuechly has accomplished and how challenging an opponent he was to prepare for, even if the five-time All-Pro won’t see it — Thomas noted wryly that Kuechly is such a professional that he doesn’t use social media, because “he is that different.”

It’s crystal-clear that Thomas enjoyed the elevated stakes that came with planning for and playing against Kuechly’s Panthers defenses, adding that, “Meetings were always a little longer, and gameplans a little more complex. He kept you honest.”

So what’s Thomas’s next step? He’s going to track Kuechly down for a personal meeting to shake hands and pay his respects, wishing his longtime rival well in life after football. That rare camaraderie is what it’s what it’s all about.

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2020 NFL mock draft: How Luke Kuechly’s retirement impacts 1st round

Luke Kuechly’s shocking retirement could have a significant impact on the first round of the 2020 NFL draft

The NFL world got a jolt Tuesday night, as Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement after eight seasons.

The Panther currently hold a top-10 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and Kuechly’s departure could have a seismic impact on their plans for that selection.

Here’s how this offseason bombshell could impact that first round of this year’s draft:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

3. Detroit Lions | Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

4. New York Giants | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

5. Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

6. Los Angeles Chargers | Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

7. Carolina Panthers | Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson

8. Arizona Cardinals | CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

9. Jacksonville Jaguars | Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

10. Cleveland Browns | Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

11. New York Jets | Tristan Wirfs | OT | Iowa

12. Oakland Raiders | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

13. Indianapolis Colts | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

15. Denver Broncos | Javon Kinlaw | DL | South Carolina

16. Atlanta Falcons | Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State

17. Dallas Cowboys | Grant Delpit | S | LSU

18. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) | Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama

19. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

20. Jacksonville Jaguars | Tee Higgins | WR | Clemson

21. Philadelphia Eagles | Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU

22. Buffalo Bills | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado

23. New England Patriots | Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama

24. New Orleans Saints | Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame

25. Minnesota Vikings | Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville

26. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) | Jonathan Taylor | RB | Wisconsin

27. Seattle Seahawks | Trevon Diggs | CB | Alabama

28. Baltimore Ravens | D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia

29. Tennessee Titans | K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU

30. Green Bay Packers | Solomon Kindley | OL | Georgia

31. Kansas City Chiefs | Travis Etienne | RB | Clemson

32. San Francisco 49ers | CJ Henderson | CB | Florida

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NFL world reacts to Luke Kuechly’s surprising retirement announcement

“In my heart, I know it’s the right thing to do.”

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly surprised the football world on Tuesday night when he announced his retirement from the game after eight great seasons.

The surprise was more in the dropping of the announcement on social media and less with his decision as the 28-year-old had suffered a number of concussions throughout his career and this feels like the best decision for him.

Kuechly finishes his career as a 7-time Pro Bowler, a 5-time All-Pro, the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year and was the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.

And some time down the line he will be a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Here’s his announcement:

Yeah, it was a pretty good career:

His longtime teammate, Greg Olson, posted his tribute:

NFL media rightfully sang his praises, too:

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Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, longtime Saints rival, retires at 28

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly shocked the New Orleans Saints and the NFL with an announcement of his retirement from football.

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Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement Tuesday evening in a video shared from the official Panthers Twitter account, sending a shockwave throughout the NFL. His decision to step away from the game at 28 carries huge ramifications for the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers themselves, and every other team in the NFC South.

It’s been a big day for the Panthers, who reportedly hired former assistant and LSU Tigers coach Joe Brady to work as offensive coordinator underneath new head coach Matt Rhule. But Kuechly’s sudden retirement has to loom largest in Charlotte.

There’s no doubt about it: Kuechly was one of the best players in the NFL over the past decade, totaling 1,092 tackles in 118 games since the Panthers drafted him out of Boston College back in 2012. He’s been selected for seven Pro Bowl games and been named a first-team All-Pro on five different occasions, providing Saints quarterback Drew Brees with a rare opponent who can play chess with him each time they crossed paths thanks to his unique blend of all-world athleticism and natural comprehension of the sport.

When asked to list the toughest opponents he’d ever faced, Kuechly named Brees and Saints running back Alvin Kamara in a 2019 article with The Players’ Tribune; the feeling was mutual between Brees and Saints coach Sean Payton, who talked about Kuechly’s impact on the game at length back in 2018. His loss is going to be felt immediately in Carolina.

Kuechly’s retirement is the latest in a string of early exits from the NFL by young, elite star talent, each of them having cited injuries. Indianapolis Colts franchise quarterback Andrew Luck retired at 30 just last year; Super Bowl hero New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, also 30, bowed out a few months before that. Kuechly has suffered a serious of disquieting concussions over the last few years, and seemed to hint at the lingering impact those brain injuries have left on him in his announcement. Here’s hoping he finds peace in retirement.

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Panthers players react to shocking news of Luke Kuechly’s retirement

As you might imagine, Kuechly’s teammates are taking the shocking news pretty hard.

Gut-punched. That’s the sensation we’re feeling right now at Panthers Wire, and it’s one a lot of Carolina fans must be sharing. Tonight, All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement from the NFL. He leaves behind a massive void in the middle of the team’s defense and an even bigger one in its heart.

As you might imagine, Kuechly’s teammates are taking the shocking news pretty hard. Here’s what they are saying on Twitter about it.

TE Greg Olsen

DE Mario Addison

OT Dennis Daley

Former LB Thomas Davis

CB Donte Jackson

RB Reggie Bonnafon

WR Jarius Wright

S Tre Boston

WR D.J. Moore

The team will almost certainly be looking to pick up a linebacker early in this year’s draft class to take his place in the lineup. However, even if they get a tremendous talent at No. 7 there’s no replacing what Kuechly has meant to this team. It’s been a privilege watching and writing about Kuechly’s game and he will be missed immensely.

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Luke Kuechly’s retirement makes Isaiah Simmons prime target for Panthers

Luke Kuechly’s shocking retirement could have the Carolina Panthers targeting Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons in the 2020 NFL draft

The NFL Playoffs aren’t done yet, but the offseason is already kicking off with a shocking development, as Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his retirement after just eight seasons Tuesday night.

A five-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, Kuechly has been considered the gold standard at his position for most of his career. His unexpected retirement immediately leaves a gigantic void at the heart of the Carolina defense, both on the field and in the locker room.

That could leave the Panthers targeting his replacement early in the 2020 NFL draft, and they’ll have a worthy target in Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons.

A Swiss Army knife of a defensive weapon, Simmons lined up all over the field for the Tigers, making plays from the edge, off the ball, and even as a defensive back. His rare combination of size, athleticism and explosiveness have made him one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers on defense, and Tigers did a fantastic job of maximizing his unique skill set.

The Panthers currently hold the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, which is in perfect range to land Simmons, especially if multiple quarterbacks come off the board ahead of them. With LSU’s Joe Burrow, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oregon’s Justin Herbert all having a solid chance of going in the top six picks, chances are high that Simmons would still be on the board for Carolina at No. 7.

A player like Kuechly is never completely replaced, but if the Panthers can land Simmons, his absence would be far less noticeable, for the 2020 season and beyond.

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Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly announces retirement

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly just announced that he’s walking away from football.

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly just announced that he’s walking away from football in a video shared by the team. Watch.

Kuechly was a first-round pick by Carolina in the 2012 draft. He’s been one of the best and most consistent defenders in the league since that selection. In 118 games, he’s totaled a remarkable 1,092 combined tackles. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time First Team All-Pro.

Kuechly’s legacy is literally still being written, but he should be remembered as one of the top-two linebackers of this era at the very least. Stunning.

This is obviously a sad day for Kuechly, his fans and everyone else involved. What matters above all is his life. Kuechly suffered several concussions during his career and if he’s putting his long-term health at risk by continuing to play then this is ultimately for the best.

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