Luke Kuechly is mentoring Jeremy Chinn to superstardom
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Chinn is getting valuable advice from a Carolina Panthers great.
The Carolina Panthers were dealt a significant blow when Luke Kuechly announced his retirement following the 2019 season. The perennial All-Pro is undeniably one of the team’s greatest-ever players and although he stepped away from the game for all the right reasons, his presence at the second level has been sorely missed.
However, Kuechly might just be the driving force behind one young prospect enjoying a sensational start to life in the NFL.
The Carolina Panthers made a bold move to trade back into the second round and take Jeremy Chinn at No. 64 overall and judging by what we’ve seen from the player this season, it was one of the best moves made by the front office in recent memory.
Chinn has made the smoothest of adjustments to the next level despite his complete lack of experience playing at outside linebacker. His two-touchdown outing at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 formally announced the former Southern Illinois standout onto the national stage and the do-it-all sensation is a leading candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
He would be the first Carolina player since Kuechly to win the award, which is further testament to the impression he’s made on a team that has struggled to compensate for No. 59 not being on the field.
The Panthers might never be able to replace Kuechly. But the recently retired pro could hold the key behind Chinn becoming a real star.