Kuechly was in his first year of eligibility. From the first time he stepped on the field as a rookie until his retirement in 2017, Kuechly left no doubt that he was among the very best in the NFL. Kuechly was a five-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, was the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team.