Luke Kuechly

Still only 29, Kuechly could have returned as one of the best defensive players in the league this season, but he decided to quit while he was ahead when it came to injury. "During the season, it'll be player evaluation and then advance scouting stuff," Kuechly said of his new gig. "So if we play a team next week, we've got to get everything set up and ready to go, so when the coaches come in on Monday, they're not starting from square one." Kuechly has previously expressed an openness to coaching, and this could be just the first of many jobs he has on the other side of the line. 

Kuechly retired in January, but head coach Matt Rhule made it a point to tell the former captain the door is open for him to remain around the team. The easy comparison for Kuechly is Dan Morgan, another former Panther who transitioned into a scouting role and has now worked his way up to be the Director of Player Personnel for the Bills.

The 28-year-old just completed his eighth consecutive season with 100-plus tackles and has been the heart and soul of Carolina's defense, and his retirement certainly comes as a surprise, though his concussion history is well documented. Kuechly received All-Pro honors seven times -- five First Team -- and totaled 1,092 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 18 interceptions and seven forced fumbles in 118 career games, all with the Panthers.

Kuechly's total saw him finish fifth league-wide in tackles and surprisingly marked his best tally since 2014. Of course, the All-Pro linebacker had dealt with injuries since then, but in playing all 16 games for the second straight season, Kuechly again led the Panthers in stops. Unlike years prior, however, he didn't make any sacks, but did defend a career-high 12 passes, including a pair of interceptions. The 28-year-old is under contract for two more years in Carolina, where he figures to remain as one of the NFL's most productive defensive players in 2020.