CHARLOTTE – Linebacker Luke Kuechly, the NFL’s leading tackler by a significant margin since entering the league, has signed a five-year contract extension with the Panthers through the 2021 season.
Kuechly will play the 2015 season under the fourth and final year of the rookie contract he signed after Carolina selected him ninth overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. In April, the Panthers exercised the fifth-year option Kuechly’s rookie contract that now extends through 2016.
"Luke is one of the best young players in the NFL and I’m very excited that the extension is done," general manager Dave Gettleman said.