Sean Payton goes out of his way to honor Panthers legend Luke Kuechly

[ASFN Admin]

When the Carolina Panthers were at their best a decade ago, the team that gave them the most trouble within the division was the New Orleans Saints—led by head coach Sean Payton and Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. At one point, the Saints won eight of nine matchups against the Panthers—and for a while, it seemed like Payton and Brees would continue to be a thorn in the franchise's side in perpetuity.

Everything comes to an end, though—even the career of Brees, who was honored by his upcoming presenter in Payton during a speech at Denver Broncos training camp on Thursday. And in the middle of his talk, Payton went on a side quest to praise Brees' fellow 2026 inductee in Panthers legend and former linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Take a listen . . .

In the middle of a long Sean Payton reflection on Drew Brees today: a reflection on “how talented” fellow HOF inductee Luke Kuechly was.

“How often a division game, we would stay up until the wee hours because Kuechly would know all the plays.” pic.twitter.com/pC9djt7QKO

— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) July 30, 2026

Over 14 career games against Payton's Saints, excluding 2012 when Payton was suspended for the bounty scandal, Kuechly recorded 73 combined tackles, an interception, nine passes defensed and a fumble recovery. The Panthers were 5-9 in those contests.

Kuechly and Brees will be enshrined into Canton on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Sean Payton goes out of his way to honor Panthers legend Luke Kuechly

Continue reading...