Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) runs onto the field before the start of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly has been elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
The announcement came during the NFL Honors on Thursday night in San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl LX.
Kuechly made the Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility and will be the second-youngest player to be enshrined to the Hall of Fame behind Gale Sayers.
Carolina selected Kuechly at No. 9 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft, and he immediately established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 followed by Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He made seven Pro Bowls, five First-team All-Pro teams, two Second-team All-Pro teams, and was a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team.
Across his eight-year career, Kuechly totaled 1,092 tackles, 75 tackles for loss, and 18 interceptions. He led the league in tackles as a rookie in 2012 (164) and in 2014 (153). His 1,092 tackles is a franchise record, and he is the fastest defender to achieve 1,000 tackles in NFL history (107 games).
Kuechly retired from the NFL in 2020 at 28 years old, citing the effects of various concussions throughout his career.
Five former players were inducted in the Class of 2026: Kuechly, quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running back Roger Craig, and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
The Class of 2026 will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 8.
