";s:4:"text";s:2079:"Carolina Panthers All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly announced his surprise retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after eight seasons in the league. Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson is taking it upon himself to fill the leadership void left by the retirement of Luke Kuechly. Linebacker Luke Kuechly’s surprising retirement leaves a big hole in the Panthers defense.
Yes, Carolina released Cam Newton and Greg Olsen. The Carolina Panthers and two-time All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly agreed on a five-year, $62 million extension, the team confirmed on Thursday. Last year, Kentucky defeated Virginia Tech 37-30 in the Belk Bowl on New Year’s Eve. During an appearance on … Defensive cornerstone Luke Kuechly retired a week later, and Newton was released in March.
Only five of the extensions have gone to defensive players, with the most recent coming in 2015 with Luke Kuechly. He had two seasons remaining on a contract that was to pay him … McCaffrey, on and off the field, was key to the Panthers’ future. The Panthers officially placed Kuechly on the NFL's reserve/retired list Tuesday. ... instead of dead last.
Kuechly played in all 16 games for the Panthers in each of the past two seasons. That will allow the organization to spread $11,840,000 in dead money from his contract over the 2020 and 2021 seasons.