The Carolina Panthers and All-Pro inside linebacker Luke Kuechly are close to reaching a contract extension, according to NFL Media's Rand Getlin.
Kuechly won Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and was selected as a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in consecutive seasons.
Entering the 2015 season, Kuechly is slated to earn $2.1 million in base salary, and will be paid just over $11 million for the 2016 campaign. He'll also receive a $1.88 million signing bonus in both years.
Arguably the most dominant inside linebacker in the NFL, Kuechly exceeded expectations after being selected ninth overall in 2012 out of Boston College. He didn't miss a single game through his first three seasons, recording 153 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in 2014.
He graded out as the best inside linebacker in the NFL in 2014 by Pro Football Focus, recording a league-high 81 defensive stops.
Alongside Thomas Davis, Kuechly is part of one of the best inside linebacker pairings in the NFL, and serves as the fulcrum of the Panthers' defense.
