New Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule’s job just got harder. Linebacker Luke Kuechly has announced his retirement. The announcement came via the Panthers Twitter page in a video where an emotional Kuechly explains the decision.
“I still want to play,” Kuechly said via the announcement. “But I don’t think it’s the right decision.”
Kuechly is 28 years old. He’ll be 29 in April.
Kuechly was a force whenever he stepped onto the field and quickly became one of the best linebackers in the league. He was 2013’s defensive player of the year—his second year in the NFL.