Footballguys #270 - 1/14 - Carolina LB Luke Kuechly Retires And More

[Footballguys.com]( Footballguys #270 - 1/14 - Carolina LB Luke Kuechly Retires And More Volume 21, #270 -- Tuesday Night, January 14th, 2020 You're subscribed as {EMAIL} - click [HERE]( to unsubscribe. [View in Web Browser]( Howdy {NAME}, Good Wednesday to you. I'm in Las Vegas for the Fantasy Sports Gaming Association Conference. The new Raiders stadium looks like Darth Vader's House. Should be fun. We've got some News and Notes for you so let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [CAR - LB Luke Kuechly Retires](#1) 2. [SEA - Six players sign future deals](#2) 3. [DEN - Pat Shurmur officially hired](#3) 4. [DAL - Surgery for OLB Leighton Vander Esch](#4) 5. [NFL - A.J. Epenesa entering draft](#5) 6. [NFL - TE Antonio Gates wraps up illustrious career](#6) 7. [MIN - David Morgan could return in 2020](#7) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [CAR - LB Luke Kuechly Retires]( Source: ESPN - David Newton Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, fighting back tears in a video posted on social media, announced on Tuesday night his plans to retire from the NFL at age 28. "I think now is the right chance for me to move on," Kuechly said. "It makes me sad because I love playing this game -- I've played it since I was a kid. It's my favorite thing in the world to do. The memories I have from this place and this organization and being on the field with these guys -- they'll never go away.'' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hats off to Kuechly for a fine career. He played the game with passion and excellence and we wish him the best in what's next for him. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [SEA - Six players sign future deals]() Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle Free-agent CB Brian Allen (Seahawks), WR [Penny Hart]( (Seahawks), LB Sutton Smith (Seahawks), DE Shakir Soto (Seahawks), LB Pita Taumoepenu (Seahawks) and WR Cody Thompson (Seahawks) signed Reserve/Future contracts with the Seattle Seahawks Tuesday, Jan. 14. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We'll watch Hart in crazy deep dynasty formats. He impressed last year at the Senior Bowl with his quickness and ability to get open on underneath routes. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [DEN - Pat Shurmur officially hired](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur has been officially hired by the Denver Broncos as their new offensive coordinator, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This has been out there for a few days. Shurmur takes over for the recently fired Rich Scangarello. The Broncos get a huge upgrade here with Shurmur taking over an offense with quarterback Drew Lock. The second-year pro has weapons like WR Courtland Sutton, TE Noah Fant and RB Phillip Lindsay. The Broncos need to build a better O-line in front of him and draft a playmaking wide receiver to start opposite of Sutton. Shurmur's offense will feature plenty of 3-WR sets and a shotgun-heavy style that suits Lock's ability. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [DAL - Surgery for OLB Leighton Vander Esch](=) Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch (neck) underwent non-evasive surgery on his neck Tuesday, Jan. 14. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Vander Esch was an All-Pro selection as a rookie in 2018 but only appeared in nine games last season. He wanted to avoid surgery but rest wasn't getting the injury healed properly. This non-evasive surgery may not knock him out of action during offseason workouts later this spring. That being said, we're sure the Cowboys will be careful while bringing back their 2018 first-round pick. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [NFL - A.J. Epenesa entering draft]() Source: NFL.com Iowa DE A.J. Epenesa announced Tuesday, Jan. 14, that he will be entering the 2020 NFL Draft. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Epenesa should be a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He's big and strong, measuring in at 6'6" 280 pounds. Epenesa uses a bull-rush to get after the quarterback and can get to the backfield quickly. He does a good job setting the edge as a run-defender. Epenesa will have to learn more pass-rushing moves to be an even more dangerous pro. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [NFL - TE Antonio Gates wraps up illustrious career](=) Source: Chargers.com Free-agent TE [Antonio Gates]( (Chargers) announced his retirement from football via social media Tuesday, Jan. 14. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Gates wraps up his 16-year career with the Chargers and will go down as a future Hall of Fame player and one of the best tight ends in NFL history. No other tight end in the NFL has had more touchdowns (116) than Gates, and he ranks No.7 all time in that category. Gates didn't play in 2019 and finishes his career with 955 catches for 11,841 yards. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [MIN - David Morgan could return in 2020]( Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Andrew Krammer Minnesota Vikings TE [David Morgan]( (knee) could stay with the team should the final year of his rookie contract toll into 2020, a possibility since he spent the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list after a 'couple' of knee surgery to repair a cartilage issue, he said Sunday, Jan. 12. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Morgan is a big-bodied blocker who came out of Minnesota as a sixth-round pick for the Vikings in 2016. He's not much of a receiver (16 career receptions) so isn't much of a fantasy factor. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). 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