Luke Kuechly was one of the best linebackers of the past decade, making the Pro Bowl in seven of his eight years in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers.
He ultimately decided to retire in his prime at the age of only 28 years old, citing health concerns as the reason for his abrupt decision in 2020.
While Kuechly was finished playing, it was clear that he wanted to stay around the sport. He took a scouting job with the Panthers in the 2020 NFL offseason.
But Kuechly abruptly left that role in Carolina last offseason, hinting that there are other things that he wanted to cross off his bucket list. He will now be able to cross yet another accomplishment off that list this upcoming season.
Reports have indicated that Kuechly will now be taking a new role with the Panthers, and it will be on the media side of sports this time around.
Kuechly is returning to the Panthers organization to be part of the radio broadcast for the team for “several games” this upcoming season.
All-Time great LB Luke Kuechly is returning to the #Panthers organization to be part of this year's radio broadcast for several games. https://t.co/n1Dk3JTY4Z
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 27, 2022
Many were excited reading the first part of Rapoport’s tweet, only to be upset to hear that Kuechly wasn’t returning to the football field.
That moment you think one of best is coming back…….. https://t.co/2jBYCUZWC8
— High Performance Idiots (@hp_idiots) June 27, 2022
The beginning of this tweet had me https://t.co/oV4khpqr9Q
— Jay❄️ (@PrimeXJaden) June 27, 2022
I got my hopes up man……. https://t.co/fZYIl7ZnAl
— He Don’t Have Internet (@TerranovaNoah) June 27, 2022
Lol I bet the beginning of this tweet fooled many people https://t.co/n0V0lxxiJH
— Scotty (@Skotty_Payne) June 27, 2022
While he is remaining retired from the NFL, many Panthers fans are excited to hear that Kuechly will be putting his excellent football mind to use in the broadcast booth.
Everyone’s gonna get master class in dissecting football with @LukeKuechly joining the booth #wordswin #bestsuccess https://t.co/4hnhKgFFpw
— Joe Kenn (@bighousepower) June 27, 2022
Luke Kuechly is great for football! The game definitely misses him on field https://t.co/CWnBiFu1lZ
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) June 27, 2022
Luke Kuechly calling games for the Panthers is hopefully a step towards a national job.
The pre-snap prophesying could be something special.
— Cameron Hogwood (@ch_skysports) June 27, 2022
Welcome @LukeKuechly! https://t.co/rFYAvAHgWI
— Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) June 27, 2022
Kuechly will be joining play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff along with former Panthers players Jordan Gross and Jake Delhomme in the broadcast booth.
This is the latest former player to take a role in media, something that has been more and more prevalent over the years.
While many would be more excited to see Kuechly back on the football field for Carolina, he will surely provide some great insight for Panthers fans while in the booth this upcoming season.
