Panthers Roundtable: Is Luke Kuechly a First Ballot Hall of Famer?

This offseason, Carolina Panthers fans were completely blindsided by the early retirement of star linebacker Luke Kuechly. Although he quickly emerged as one of the league's elite defenders, concussions took a major toll on him and he felt like it was the best time to walk away from the game he loves.

Here at All Panthers, have spent the last several months discussing how the Panthers could replace him, who would do it, and if the defense would take a major step back. Today, we move the discussion over to whether or not Kuechly is a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Here's what our staff had to say:

Jason Hewitt

Kuechly should be a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. Here are his stats from his 2012 rookie year to his final season in 2019: 7 Pro Bowls (T-1st in the NFL) 1,092 tackles (1st), 18 INT (most among linebackers), 5x First-Team All-Pro (T-1st), 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2015 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and 7 years as a team captain for the Panthers. Even though he had an early and unexpected retirement, his resume speaks for him.

Schuyler Callihan

Albeit a brief career in the NFL, Luke Kuechly was one of the most dominant linebackers the game has ever seen. His football IQ is not only what led him to success on the field, but landing a gig in the Panthers scouting department following his retirement. What he did on the field is absolutely worthy of being a first ballot Hall of Famer, regardless if he didn't play well into his 30's.

Jack Duffy

Luke Kuechly is a sure fire first ballot hall of gamer. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind. The stats back up this sentiment. During his eight seasons with the Panthers, he was a seven-time Pro Bowler, defensive player of the year in 2013, along with being named first-team All-Pro five times since being drafted No. 9 overall out of Boston College in 2012. Since 2012, Kuechly eclipsed at least 100 tackles in all eight seasons, totaling 1,092 for his career and led the NFL in combined tackles in 2012 (164) and 2014 (153). There wasn't another linebacker in the NFL during Kuechly's time that possessed his combination of football IQ, toughness, range, and ability to predict a play before the ball was even snapped. If that doesn’t push the needle for you then I don’t know what else will. Luke Kuechly was arguably the best linebacker of the 2010s and a player that will immortalized in Carolina sports history.

Do you think Luke Kuechly will be a first ballot Hall of Famer? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below and discuss!

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