Walking away from the game can be difficult for the fiercest of competitors, which is why so many of the greatest players stay close to it even after retirement. Coaching and analysis are two of the most common paths we see former players take—and Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly is doing a bit of both.
In addition to serving as the defensive coordinator for head coach Greg Olsen's high school football team in Charlotte, Kuechly has several television analysis gigs going—including a new X's and O's preview show alongside fellow Hall of Famer and legendary quarterback Peyton Manning on ESPN.
So far, Kuechly seems to be enjoying himself with this one. Here's what he had to say about his partner, per Joe Person at The Athletic:
"He has great
humor and he loves the game. But I get to learn from a guy and hear from a guy who is arguably one of the highest processing, smartest quarterbacks that ever played this game,” Kuechly said. "I got a chance to watch him growing up when he was in Indy and then I got a chance to play against him when he was in Denver. I love listening to quarterbacks talk about what stresses them, or what they like or don’t like. I really mean it, I wish I would have known some of this stuff when I was playing ‘cause it would have been so helpful.”
While this seems fun for now, it sounds like Kuechly will eventually want to venture into a head-coaching job. But he says he's not quite ready for that kind of commitment, yet.
“I think coaching would be super fun. I’m just not ready for that time commitment,” Kuechly stated, per Person. “Yeah, I’m busy right now but it’s all things that I enjoy doing that I’ve said yes to.”
Maybe when it comes time, the Panthers will have a position waiting for No. 59—and we're not just talking about coaching the linebackers, either.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers great Luke Kuechly comments on new gig with Peyton Manning
