Carolina Panthers: 4 most disappointing QBs in franchise history

Carolina Panthers Player No. 1: Jimmy Clausen (QB)

There will always be a case of what might have been with Jimmy Clausen. The Carolina Panthers thought they had lucked out when the quarterback fell into their laps in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft at No. 48 overall. He was ranked by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as the fourth-best player coming out of college that year. And he had some incredibly impressive film at Notre Dame to back up this claim.

There is a reason that players fall in the draft more often than not. The Panthers didn’t have a first-round pick that year. And general manager Marty Hurney even claimed afterward that Carolina even considered moving up to take Clausen.

It was clear pretty early on why every team in the first round passed on the signal-caller. His attitude left a lot to be desired. With his overall conditioning receiving criticism from then-owner Jerry Richardson.

Carolina didn’t need Clausen to start right away. But he did move into the No. 1 spot just a few games into the campaign thanks to some erratic play from starter Matt Moore.

Clausen was not ready for this step up in class. He went 1-9 as a starter, completing 52.5 percent of his passes on his way to 1,555 yards, three touchdowns, and nine interceptions in ten starts.

His dismal play was openly condemned by senior roster members such as wide receiver Steve Smith. And the Panthers even went to the extent of running a predominantly wildcat offense to get Clausen off the field.

The one positive to come from Clausen’s disappointing tenor with the team was that it put them in prime position to select Cam Newton No. 1 overall. But that is about all you can say about a player who promised the world and failed to deliver.