Panthers Make Luke Kuechly Highest Paid ILB in History
The Carolina Panthers have officially paid Luke Kuechly, and its a big pay-day. The team signed the former ninth overall pick to a five-year, $62 million dollar deal. The deal was first reported by Rand Getlin. Getlin reports that Kuechly’s extension averages 12.4M per year, thus making him the highest paid inside linebacker in the history of the NFL.
The #Panthers and Luke Kuechly have agreed to terms on a 5-year, $62M contract extension, per a source.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) September 10, 2015
He’s also leads the league in tackles with 473 since being drafted out of Boston College in 2012, and has the most tackles of any player over his first three seasons since 1994. The two-time Pro Bowler has clearly established himself in a short amount of time as one of, if not the, best inside linebackers in the NFL.
Kuechly is also one of only 3 players to win Defensive Player of the Year within his first 2 NFL seasons. Great day for him & the #Panthers.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) September 10, 2015
This deal seems to be the end of a motley of deals given out by the Panthers, including when the Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton agreed to a 5-year, $103.8 million contract extension in June. The team has also locked up Greg Olsen and Thomas Davis to contract extensions in the recent past.
Luuuuuuuuuuke.@Panthers, @LukeKuechly reach 5-year extension (via @Rand_Getlin): http://t.co/NY6p1dssXB pic.twitter.com/dX4D3qgcpK
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2015
Along with those ridiculous tackle stats, Kuechly has accumulated six sacks and seven interceptions since 2012. The Panthers clearly want to build around him after the team made the playoffs with a sub-.500 record in a bad division last season. With the rest of the division making some major changes this offseason, expect the Panthers to be fighting for that last playoff spot in 2015, with Kuechly leading the way.