Panthers LB Luke Kuechly signs five-year contract extension

Luke Kuechly has signed a five-year, $62 million extension with the Carolina Panthers.

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly signed a five-year contract extension with Carolina, the team announced on Thursday.

The Panthers did not announce the terms of the deal, but NFL Media’s Rand Getlin reported the deal was worth $62 million over the five years. That $12.4 million annual salary would make Kuechly the highest-paid inside linebacker in NFL history.

Kuechly, 24, has made 473 combined tackles in three seasons since Carolina drafted him ninth overall in 2012. He’s a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

Linebackers Bobby Wagnerof the Seahawks, Lavonte David of the Buccaneers and DeAndre Levy of the Lions all received significant contract extensions this offseason.

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- Jeremy Woo