Carolina Panthers: Kuechly and Peppers named to NFL All-Decade team

Legendary Carolina Panthers’ defensive players Luke Kuechly and Julius Peppers received a significant honor after a standout decade of production.

Two former Carolina Panthers have made the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Julius Peppers were chosen by the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters on the 55-man roster thanks to their years of exceptional play.

Only players who received at least one selection to a Pro Bowl, Associated Press All-Pro team or Pro Football Writers Association all-conference team during the 2010-19 seasons were eligible.

Kuechly is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most dominant linebackers in recent memory. The player was a revelation during his time with the Panthers, which came to an end with a shock retirement following the 2019 campaign.

He recorded the most tackles out of any linebacker during the decade with 1,092. Kuechly also led all other players at the position with 18 interceptions.

The former first-round pick out of Boston College ended his eight-year career with seven Pro Bowl selections and was named first-team All-Pro on no fewer than five occasions.

Kuechly made an instant impression in the NFL, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. He also holds the honor of being the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 to further highlight his overall influence on the franchise.

Peppers will go down in Panther folklore as one of their fiercest ever pass rushers. The home state hero ended a glittering 17-year career fourth on the NFL’s all-time sack list with 159.5

He is the Panthers’ franchise leader in sacks with 97, and his 34 forced fumbles and eight blocked field goals are other records that have yet to be broken. Peppers is also the only player in NFL history to secure 150 sacks and ten interceptions.

The defensive end played for two NFC North sides during the decade in the form of the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He made a triumphant return to the Panthers in 2017 and notched 16 sacks in his final two seasons as a pro.

Peppers now has two consecutive All-Decade selections after securing a spot on the 2000s team earlier on in his career.