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As expected, a certain Carolina Panthers great has advanced in this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame voting.
Luke Kuechly has officially been announced as a finalist for the 2026 class. The former linebacker was named an automatic finalist for 2026 last year, after he finished in the top seven in voting for the 2025 class.
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Kuechly played eight NFL seasons, all with Carolina. His shortened but decorated run yielded the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year awards as well as five first-team All-Pro nods, two second-team All-Pro nods and seven Pro Bowl selections.
He won't be joined into this stage by ex-teammate Steve Smith Sr., who was a finalist for the first time in 2025. Smith, in addition to being the franchise's all-time leading pass catcher, sits eighth on the NFL's all-time receiving list.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers great Luke Kuechly named 2026 Pro Football HOF finalist
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