In January 2020, linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers surprisingly announced his retirement from the NFL at the relatively young age of 28; in just eight NFL seasons, he established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive players, earning Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and Defensive Player of the Year honors. In many ways, his short, but accomplished career mirrors that of another Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker, Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers, who likewise retired after just eight seasons – given the similarities between their careers, both in duration and impact, it is only natural to ask:
Who was better – Luke Kuechly or Patrick Willis?
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