Luke Kuechly says Hall of Fame would be the last checkmark of his career

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is a finalist for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame after an eight-season, 125-game career, and he described election as "the last checkmark" of his playing days.

Luke Kuechly is again a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the 2026 class is set to be announced at NFL Honors. He played eight NFL seasons and 125 games before retiring because of long-term health concerns after documented concussions between 2015 and 2017. Kuechly has said induction would serve as "the last checkmark" of his career. Since retiring he has stayed involved in football by coaching at Charlotte Christian and working as a Panthers radio color analyst. Key facts: - Kuechly is a finalist for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame; the class will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco. - He retired after eight seasons and 125 games, citing long-term health concerns after three documented concussions from 2015–2017. - Career honors reported include Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012), Defensive Player of the Year in his second season, seven Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All-Pro honors, and a spot on the 2010s All-Decade Team. - Kuechly was a central figure in the Panthers’ run to the Super Bowl following the 2015 season and recorded 10 tackles, including a sack, in the Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos. - A memorable on-field moment came in 2013 on Monday Night Football, when an initial pass-interference flag against Kuechly was picked up after a play on Rob Gronkowski. Summary: Kuechly’s candidacy highlights a shorter but highly decorated career and draws attention because most modern Hall candidates played many more seasons. He has described election as a way to close the chapter on his playing days. He will learn whether he is inducted when the Hall of Fame class is announced Thursday night at NFL Honors.