Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly shockingly announced his retirement last week after just eight NFL seasons. One of the best ever to don a Panthers uniform, Kuechly not only set franchise records but established himself as one of the most dominant linebackers in all of football.
Known for running the defense on the field, there are multiple instances where Kuechly called out opponents plays even before they happened. With a relentless work effort on and off the field, the Panthers linebacker embraced watching film, scouting opponents and ensuring he was always ready to play.
Due to these characteristics, it was widely believed he would one day put these skills to use by stepping into a coaching role whenever he decided to hang up his cleats.