The Panthers on Tuesday officially placed linebacker Luke Kuechly on the NFL's reserved/retired list. But Kuechly could soon be back in a new capacity.
Kuechly is considering a role in the front office, where he'd join the team as a pro scout. Famous for his love of the game and hours spent dissecting film, Kuechly would be able to carry those passions over into a new career.
During his eight seasons patrolling the middle of the defense, Kuechly became one of the greatest players to wear a Panthers' uniform. He racked up 1,092 tackles, the most in the NFL since he entered the league, and made the Pro Bowl seven times.
"I think it's great if it works out if it's what he wants to do," head coach Matt Rhule said on a video press conference Wednesday morning.
"Obviously, the pro side (scouts) are the guys who are evaluating other NFL players. Their mission is twofold: They're helping us build the roster by finding other guys that fit what we do, and they're also providing advanced scouting each week on the opponent. If there's someone who was built for that, it's probably Luke Kuechly with his preparation and work."
