Thanks to the Bills win over the Bengals on Sunday, the Panthers are now in sole possession of the worst record in the league.
Let’s assume they finish in that position. What direction will the go with the 1st-overall selection?
The answer to that question depends on who is calling the shots in Carolina. Head coach John Fox’s contract expires at the end of the year and it’s unlikely he’ll be invited back, and GM Marty Hurney is on the hot seat as well.
The Jimmy Clausen era may be a short one in Carolina.
So while it’s too early give a definitive answer, it’s not hard to speculate that Clausen’s tenure as the starter could be short lived. Remember, 30 of the 32 NFL teams passed on Clausen – some more than once – in last year’s draft. So whoever the Panthers hire likely had the opportunity to select Clausen, but chose to go in a different direction.
But, regardless of who is in Carolina’s front office, Andrew Luck may actually hold the keys to Clausen’s future.
Given the choice between Clausen and Jake Locker or Cam Newton, it may be safer to stick with Clausen (and his significantly smaller contract) and address another area of need with the 1st pick. But if Luck is on the board, it will be hard to make that choice.
Andrew Luck will be the best quarterback to enter the draft since I started this website in 2004. And those with more experience than me say that he may be the best since Peyton Manning.
So while it’s hard to justify giving up on Clausen after just one season, Luck may simply be too talented to pass over.
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