Atlanta Falcons should be the first to give Luke Kuechly a call

The Atlanta Falcons switched up their coaching staff quite a bit this season. After a miserable start with Dan Quinn calling plays on the defensive side of the ball, he decided, with some pressure from management no doubt, it was time to make a change.

After Jeff Ulbrich and Raheem Morris took over on defense, the Atlanta Falcons looked like a different team in the second half of the season. Part of their second-half run was dominating the Carolina Panthers on the road and at home.

But now they should turn to a nemesis from that team as a potential addition to their coaching staff. It was a shock to most of the NFL world when Luke Kuechly announced he was retiring.

In his eight-year career, Kuechly played in the Pro Bowl seven times, was a five-time all-pro player, and dominated matchups. While he was on the losing end of some unforgettable Julio Jones catches, he was still a linebacker at least in position to be able to make a play.

It’s been reported that Luke wants back in on the NFL stage, but not as a player, as a coach. And the Falcons should be knocking at his door. Kuechly was gifted athletically, no doubt, he could run with tailbacks, tackle bigger receivers, but one thing that constantly stood out was his preparation.

Kuechly watched tons of film and it showed on Sundays. For every audible a quarterback made, he was matching it. And rarely did he get caught out of position.

The Falcons have a young linebacking corp but it’s also talented. Deion Jones, Foye Oluokun, and potentially De’Vondre Campbell, if the Falcons bring him back. But adding a coach who has played against most of the current NFL, with a brilliant mind, could give the Falcons a much-needed boost on defense.

Kuechly brings passion and smarts for the game that not too many others can. If the Falcons want a shot at the Super Bowl next year, they’d be wise to give him a call.

This will be the one time the Falcons should welcome a Panther with open arms.