Kuechly announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

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, who made six tackles in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Saints, finishes up the 2019 campaign with 144 stops (81 solo) and two interceptions in 16 games played.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Kuechly made six tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Colts.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly was also credited with two quarterback hits, but Carolina's defense offered little resistance overall. It'll look to close the campaign with an improved showing, but Week 17's matchup against the high-powered Saints offense doesn't appear favorable.

Kuechly made 17 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly registered nearly three times as many stops as all his teammates, turning in his best statistical performance in a while. The linebacker also hit opposing quarterback Russell Wilson twice, showing no signs of slowing to end this season.

Kuechly posted 11 tackles (eight solo) and a pass breakup in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechnly posted his fifth double-digit tackling performance of the season, bringing him to 114 stops on the season. While it will be tough to reach a new career high in the category this season -- his current best is 165 stops during his rookie season -- Kuechly's in prime position to put up his best number since the 2014 campaign.

Kuechly made seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Redskins.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly has now gone five straight games without hitting double digits in tackles, an uncharacteristic stretch for the All-Pro linebacker. Although he defended a pass Sunday, putting him two away from a new career high, Kuechly's declining tackling rate has hurt his traditionally high IDP value.

Kuechly made six tackles (three solo) and defended two passes in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly has now gone four weeks in a row without hitting double figures in stops, which is surprising for a player of his caliber. On the bright side, he's shown well in coverage, as he's now defended nine passes this season, putting him three away from a new career high.

Kuechly finished with eight tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 29-3 loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly tied teammates Tre Boston and Eric Reid for Carolina's team lead in stops, bouncing back after a couple underwhelming outings by his standards. The linebacker now sports 90 tackles through 10 games this season.

Kuechly finished with just four tackles (one solo) in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly has now been uncharacteristically quiet in back-to-back weeks, as he's totaled just 10 tackles in Carolina's last two games. That decrease in pace leaves Kuechly's season tally at 82 stops through nine outings, but he still leads the Panthers in the category.

Kuechly finished with six tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 30-20 win over the Titans.

EDGE Analysis

Kuechly matched his season low in stops, with both of those six-tackle outings coming over the past three weeks. Although he also defended a pass Sunday, he'll look to up his tackling output to its usual level in Week 10 at the Packers.