Carolina Panthers great Luke Kuechly addresses not making it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his … [+] first year eligible. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Carolina Panthers great Luke Kuechly surprisingly didn’t make the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction cut, but he’s proud of the guys who did.
The former Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year was undoubtedly the best linebacker in the NFL during his eight seasons with the Panthers before head injuries derailed his career and led to his retirement at the age of 28 after the 2019 season.
While many expected him to be a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame during his first year being eligible, that wasn’t the case as only four players made it – the smallest Hall of Fame class since 2005.
“There’s only a certain amount of spots,” says Kuechly in a one-on-one interview at Super Bowl Radio Row “There’s only a certain amount of guys that get in. That’s what makes it hard. There’s so many good players in the NFL and it’s hard to get them all in at the same time.
“Those guys will eventually all get in,” Kuechly continues to say. “Steve Smith, Eli Manning and it was Adam Vinatieri’s first time on the ballot, a guy with big kicks for two teams, won a lot of championships, and it’s just a matter of time for a lot of those guys.”
Kuechly will automatically be a finalist for next year’s Hall of Fame voting process as a result of making it to the final seven. The 33-year-old – who is known for being humble – once again showed his class and humility by paying tribute to the four inductees this year, saying that all of them are “100% Hall of Famers.”
Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Sterling Sharpe were the four inductees this year.
“You look at the guys that made it and they’re 100 percent Hall of Famers,” says Kuechly. “
“I’ve played against Antonio Gates, my rookie year out at the old Qualcomm Stadium with the Chargers,” says Kuechly. “I got a chance to play with Jared Allen his last year in Carolina. Obviously we picked him up early part of the year from Chicago. And then you look at, you’ve got guys like Sterling Sharp and Eric Allen. Sharpe was a guy that, if he didn’t get hurt, you know, he’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“Just you look at his numbers throughout his career, and it was a no brainer,” Kuechly continues to say of Sharpe. “For him to get in, it’s something that’s been a long time coming.”
All four players are making it in as non first-time eligible players. That obviously gives hope to Kuechly moving forward as he looks to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his second year eligibile in 2026.
While the snub of Kuechly is notable, the one that garnered even more headlines was New York Giants great Eli Manning not making it. Manning was expected to headline the Class of 2025 after defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in two Super Bowls. There are only 13 quarterbacks in NFL history to win two Super Bowls and seven of them are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I think you’re always surprised,” says Kuechly when asked if he’s surprised Manning didn’t make the cut. “You look at guys like Eli and Steve Smith in Carolina, a triple crown winner.
The seven-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro selection once again hammers home that the four guys who were inducted “deserve” to get in
“These guys pushed the NFL forward in a positive direction,” says Kuechly. “They affected a lot of people in a very positive way, both watching these guys and playing with and playing against them. For those four guys to get in, that’s what it’s about. Those guys deserve to get in, you’re super happy for them.”
Luke Kuechly Makes Super Bowl LIX Prediction: ‘Hard Time Rooting Against The Chiefs’
As far as his prediction for who will win Super Bowl LIX, Kuechly expects the Chiefs to three-peat, saying he has a hard time going against Patrick Mahomes in crunch time in the big game, comparing him to Tom Brady.
“I have a hard time rooting against the Chiefs,” says Kuechly. “You just look at what Mahomes has been able to do throughout his career. Obviously the last two years in the Super Bowl, it’s like saying that Tom Brady can’t win a Super Bowl. You look at Philly, I think roster wise, they’re very strong. But I think it’s hard to root against a guy that just goes and wins.”
The former linebacker says the game will come down to two aspects – can the Chiefs slow down Jalen Carter, who has been a dominant defensive lineman for Philly this postseason? And will the Kansas City defense be able to force the Eagles into third-and-long situations by slowing down Saquon Barkley?
“You look at that Philly offensive line versus the defensive line of the Chiefs, how are they kind of able to prevent those explosive plays from Saquon and make it kind of third and longer situations and make them one-dimensional throwing the ball,” says Kuechly.
Luke Kuechly On How PXG Clubs Have Helped Him With His Golf Game
Kuechly is speaking on behalf of his partnership with PXG, a sports equipment company known for making custom-fitted golf equipment. The former linebacker says he became a big golfer after the end of his playing career and credits PXG with helping him improve his game.
“I love playing golf since I got done playing,” says Kuechly. “I play a lot more, get out with my buddies, especially in the spring coming up. It’s nice in Charlotte, I get out a lot. I had the same set of clubs for probably 10 years. and recently got a new set from PXG.
“They’ve got a great store in Charlotte, North Carolina, full bag fitting, the whole nine,” Kuechly continues to say. “I got a new set of clubs last year and it’s made playing a lot more fun, they’re more forgiving. I hit the ball better. Coming up this spring, I’ve got a great opportunity to go play again.”
Kuechly – who says he’s caddied for his former teammate, Greg Olsen – says he’s a “good” golfer because he has “fun.” He says playing the game is all about having fun.
“I would say I’m a good golfer because I have fun,” says Kuechly with a smile on his face. “I think that’s kind of what it comes down to. Do I score? Well, no. But do I have a lot of fun? Yes. Playing with these clubs for PXG the last year or so has been a big boost for me.”
