Luke Kuechly retires

[Basbear]

These millennials retiring so early, need to stop giving them so much early money...

 

sorta s/

[Mr. Scot]

 

[Matt62881]

I really hope a better explanation comes out because I feel it was more then just the concussions. I think maybe he was playing with other injuries and felt like he was a soon to be liability on the field, that some of the runs given up this year was his fault.

[MMA]

Imagine our defense if Luke didn’t retire. I’m still not over it. 

[Puresteel55]

10 minutes ago, MMA said:

Imagine our defense if Luke didn’t retire. I’m still now over it. 

With THIS front line? Heck yeah! He would be roaming free!

[MMA]

4 minutes ago, Puresteel55 said:

With THIS front line? Heck yeah! He would be roaming free!

Ron being fired played a huge part in Luke choosing to retire. And knowing that a lot of the guys he played with like Cam and Olsen were probably not going to be back. Luke probably didn’t want to wait and rebuild under a new HC from the college rank. But, I bet that after seeing this draft, he might be rethinking. Would not be surprised to see Luke come back after a year off. Football is in his DNA. Wished he would’ve just took a year off like how Luck did and see how he’s feeling first then decide if he should retire or not. 

[PantherOnTheProwl1523]

7 minutes ago, MMA said:

Ron being fired played a huge part in Luke choosing to retire. And knowing that a lot of the guys he played with like Cam and Olsen were probably not going to be back. Luke probably didn’t want to wait and rebuild under a new HC from the college rank. But, I bet that after seeing this draft, he might be rethinking. Would not be surprised to see Luke come back after a year off. Football is in his DNA. Wished he would’ve just took a year off like how Luck did and see how he’s feeling first then decide if he should retire or not. 

[Puresteel55]

40 minutes ago, MMA said:

Ron being fired played a huge part in Luke choosing to retire. And knowing that a lot of the guys he played with like Cam and Olsen were probably not going to be back. Luke probably didn’t want to wait and rebuild under a new HC from the college rank. But, I bet that after seeing this draft, he might be rethinking. Would not be surprised to see Luke come back after a year off. Football is in his DNA. Wished he would’ve just took a year off like how Luck did and see how he’s feeling first then decide if he should retire or not. 

When asked about the Panthers draft he used the word “we” meaning he still considers himself a part of the the team.

Ron was the main reason he was struggling last year due of the ineffectiveness of the front line and the way Ron was using them. The “experiment just didn’t work.

i definitely could see him rethinking his decision.

[amcoolio]

Luke will take a year off and come back after the Panthers develop/rebuild the D

[VirginiaMike]

A great player, should go to the Hall of Fame!

[cardiackat88.]

This draft makes me wonder if it is not only for beefing up the d-line incredibly, but also enticing Luke to come back. 

[1of10Charnatives]

4 hours ago, cardiackat88. said:

This draft makes me wonder if it is not only for beefing up the d-line incredibly, but also enticing Luke to come back. 

I don't know Luke personally but the circumstantial evidence suggest to me if his reason for leaving had really been lack of talent on the roster or losing, he would have just asked for a trade or release. It's really hard to stomach and sad to see, but all signs point to the young man making a hard decision for himself and his health to walk away from the game. Given his concussion history as much as I loved watching him play this was probably the best decision for him. I applaud him for having the courage to make such a difficult decision and give up something he so obviously loved. I think we should all wish him long life and good health and remember his time here fondly.

[hepcat]

I don't want to inspire any false hope, but I do personally think there is still a chance Luke comes back next season.

1) He hasn't signed his retirement paper yet. Whether he was waiting until after June 1 because of some salary cap reasons, or because he hasn't entirely made up his mind, the fact remains he's not officially retired yet

2) He's remained involved with the team. Luke apparently lives near Matt Rhule and has spent time talking to him and his kids while he's "coming home from fishing trips". On the surface that seems like the moves of a guy that is pretty solidly retired, if it wasn't the middle of the offseason and also in the midst of a pandemic. But Luke is establishing a relationship with the new coach.

3) He's welcoming new players to the team. He posted an Instagram story welcoming Derrick Brown to the Panthers. The optics of that move say, at the very least, Luke is still involving himself with the team. Whether that is because he is simply bored during shelter at home orders, still has the itch to play, or maybe both, remains to be seen.

I have to say, everything I've seen outwardly from Luke looks like a guy who might not be done playing football. At the very least, Luke isn't done with the Panthers. Maybe he becomes a coaching intern this fall, or goes into a reporting/announcing role with Gross and Delhomme.

[1of10Charnatives]

6 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I don't want to inspire any false hope, but I do personally think there is still a chance Luke comes back next season.

1) He hasn't signed his retirement paper yet. Whether he was waiting until after June 1 because of some salary cap reasons, or because he hasn't entirely made up his mind, the fact remains he's not officially retired yet

2) He's remained involved with the team. Luke apparently lives near Matt Rhule and has spent time talking to him and his kids while he's "coming home from fishing trips". On the surface that seems like the moves of a guy that is pretty solidly retired, if it wasn't the middle of the offseason and also in the midst of a pandemic. But Luke is establishing a relationship with the new coach.

3) He's welcoming new players to the team. He posted an Instagram story welcoming Derrick Brown to the Panthers. The optics of that move say, at the very least, Luke is still involving himself with the team. Whether that is because he is simply bored during shelter at home orders, still has the itch to play, or maybe both, remains to be seen.

I have to say, everything I've seen outwardly from Luke looks like a guy who might not be done playing football. At the very least, Luke isn't done with the Panthers. Maybe he becomes a coaching intern this fall, or goes into a reporting/announcing role with Gross and Delhomme.

I think it's obvious Luke remains heavily involved with football. He clearly has a superior football mind and loves the game. I think it's a safe bet he quit only for physical health reasons. That being the case, Luke has only ever played for the Panthers, they have always treated him like royalty, and Charlotte is a great place to live. On top of that sports science is a top priority of Rhule's, and with Luke's medical history, if he was going to stay involved with the NFL, doing so with the Panthers makes all the sense in the world. I don't think it's a lot of evidence to suggest he's likely to return to playing, but if he choose to I'd be thrilled. I do think he's a better fit on the sideline than in front of a camera, but I think he's capable of both.