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Heading into the 2026 season, the Carolina Panthers look better on paper at linebacker than they have in years.
That's because they signed Pro Bowler Devin Lloyd in free agency, who should improve the second level of their defense in a big way.
In fact, Lloyd is probably the best middle 'backer this organization has fielded since Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly.
Kuechly, who's set to be enshrined later this summer, has been named as one of the game's best players of the last 20 seasons by Pro Football Focus.
The franchise legend slots in as one of two starters on PFF's first team alongside Bobby Wagner.
Analyst Nathan Jahnke writes: Luke Kuechly posted a 93.6 overall grade in 2015, the best mark for any linebacker in a season.
Bobby Wagner produced a 91.7 grade in 2018 and a 91.4 grade in 2017, ranking second and third, respectively.
If this list looked at the top six or seven seasons instead of the top five, then Willis would be the No.
1 linebacker.
Kuechly is not only the best Panthers linebacker of all-time, but he's arguably the best linebacker of his generationand that's really saying something considering the competition he got from Wagner as well as Lavonte David and Patrick Willis (both PFF second-teamers).
We may never again see another defender have a more special combination of instinct, athleticism and impact.
Concussion concerns limited Kuechly's NFL career to just eight seasons.
He did, however, make the most of that runearning a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, a Defensive Player of the Year award, five first-team All-Pro nods and seven Pro Bowl selections.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: PFF names Panthers legend among NFL's best players of last 20 years.