CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The lone bright spot amid Carolina’s NFL-worst 2-14 season was getting the No. 1 overall draft pick and the chance to take potential franchise quarterback Andrew Luck.
The Stanford redshirt sophomore didn’t only forgo possibly $50 million in guaranteed money, he dashed the Panthers’ dreams Thursday by announcing he’s staying in school.
A day after the Panthers’ 31-10 loss to Atlanta to close their awful season, fans tuned in Monday night to watch Luck throw for 287 yards and four TDs — one more than Carolina’s Jimmy Clausen managed in 10 starts — in Stanford’s 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech.
Luck’s decision also is a big deal for Clausen, who went 1-9 as a starter with an NFL- worst 58.4 passer rating.
“Somewhere right now my boy Jimmy Clausen is doin’ the jersey shore fist-pump,” Panthers safety Gerald Alexander wrote on Twitter.
Now the Panthers will face big decisions. Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers declared for the draft Wednesday and might move into the top spot on draft boards. Carolina could also try to trade down for extra picks.
