Luke Kuechly’s quiet departure from pro scout role typifies the man

Luke Kuechly’s understated departure from the Carolina Panthers simply typifies everything about the person and the player.

Going about his business in a quiet fashion is something that became synonymous with Luke Kuechly during his time with the Carolina Panthers. The former linebacker is one of the team’s greatest-ever players and even though retirement followed in 2019 after eight seasons due to health concerns, his legacy across the organization will live through the ages.

Carolina made the smart move to bring Kuechly onto the staff as a pro scout when his retirement was officially confirmed. This is a role he tackled with his customary commitment and it’s clear that his input significantly aided the likes of Jeremy Chinn, who was glowing in his praise for the perennial All-Pro throughout his rookie season.

With all the attention on the 2021 NFL Draft and the evaluation process, Kuechly offered his resignation to the Panthers after just one season in the front office. This was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport on Monday, but the team did not disclose it – probably at Kuechly’s request.

Gaining plaudits and media attention was an afterthought for Kuechly. He always felt this was an added distraction when preparing for game day and for the future Pro Football Hall of Famer to ride off into their sunset without almost no recognition whatsoever is probably the perfect ending and the way he no doubt wanted it.

Carolina Panthers will miss Luke Kuechly’s presence.

After everything Kuechly has given the game football, who could begrudge him taking a well-deserved break to relax, reflect, and spend more quality time with his family?

There are no half measures where Kuechly is concerned. He is either all-in or not at all so even if there was even the slightest bit of doubt regarding his commitment to the post, then he probably thought it best to walk away with a view to perhaps coming back in the future.

Nobody can blame Kuechly for this.

Being around the team was probably hard for him in 2020, which was the first year since his decision to hang up his cleats. Knowing he probably had a lot more to give on the field had to hurt, but preserving his long-term health rightfully took priority.

Stepping away to re-evaluate things is always a smart move in any walk of life at some stage. Kuechly has given football everything he had and few have ever done it better than No. 59.

What comes next for Kuechly is uncertain.

There is a chance he comes back into the fold in the future. But it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world to see this exit from Kuechly become a permanent one when the legendary figure starts looking at the bigger picture.

Kuechly was the heart and soul of the Panthers from the moment he stepped on the field to the time came to call it a day. There will never be another like him and even though his pro scout career was blossoming, his desire to put in the long hours rather than focus his attention on the people matter most was clearly waning.

Nobody associated with the Panthers will wish Kuechly anything but the very best of luck moving forward. He will always have a special place in the hearts of those who saw him play and if anybody deserved to go out quietly and on his own terms, it was him.