4 former Panthers players that should follow Jeff Saturday’s lead
By Dean Jones
Luke Kuechly – Former Carolina Panthers LB
There was uproar among many around the NFL when Jeff Saturday got the interim head coaching job in Indianapolis. However, if the Carolina Panthers had done something similar with Luke Kuechly when Matt Rhule was fired, one suspects it would have given the fanbase a new sense of life.
Kuechly is one of Carolina’s greatest-ever players and among the league’s most prolific linebackers before his career was cut short due to health concerns. His cerebral approach and ability to lead from the front were evident from the moment he stepped onto the field, which came from exceptional preparation and being a true student of the game.
There will never be another Kuechly. Something the Panthers are finding out to their cost with a series of failed personnel moves at middle linebacker that’s brought nothing like the same consistency.
The former Boston College star spent time on Rhule’s staff before stepping away. Players like Jeremy Chinn were extremely complimentary of Kuechly during their initial transition, staying behind to watch film and ensuring the Southern Illinois product became a frontrunner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Kuechly is covering the Panthers as a team radio analyst in 2022. Although his coaching experience is minimal, this would be a popular avenue to go down and something that could put David Tepper back in the fans’ good graces.