What Does the Future Have in Store for Jake Delhomme?

Jake Delhomme's fate is ultimately in the hands of Jerry Richardson (Owner), John Fox (Head Coach), Marty Hurney (GM), and the staff of the Carolina Panthers. Jake Delhomme had a remarkable 2008 season. With an overall QB rating of 84.7, completing nearly 60 percent of all his passes for a total of 3,288 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Number like that are not that of quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning (2008 NFL MVP), Drew Brees, and Kurt Warner. But after Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and sitting out nearly an entire season, Jake Delhomme has made one of the most amazing comebacks in NFL history.

With the good comes the bad. In the 2008 regular season, Jake Delhomme had two games that were really horrible. A third if you count the playoff loss to Arizona. In the Week Six loss to Tampa Bay, Delhomme threw three interceptions and ended the game with a QB rating of 38.6.

The worst game of the season came on the Week 10 win over the Oakland Raiders.  Jake Delhomme barely completed 25 percent of his passes, completing just seven out of 27 attempts and throwing four interceptions. In the game, Delhomme had just 72 yards and a QB rating of 12.3.

Jake Delhomme's fate with the Panthers should be secure, but the Panthers need to find a suitable replacement for Jake Delhomme in case Jake gets injured again or he starts playing horrible again.

The Panthers do not have a good backup QB for Delhomme. Matt Moore is a second-year QB who got some snaps last year but failed to meet the capabilities to carry the Panthers an entire season. And Josh McCown is a seventh-year player who has not really played well in what games he has played in.

Carolina Should look to either draft a good rookie or trade for a quality backup for Jake. During the preseason in the upcoming season the Panthers should challenge Jake to keep his position as the first string QB. 

But the worst thing I honestly think the Carolina Panthers can do is to let Jake Delhomme go. Since Jake Delhomme has became a Panther before the 2003 season, he has carried the Panthers to three playoff berths, two NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl. Yes, the Panthers have not won a ring but to have at least made it to the Super Bowl is a large achievement.

Jake Delhomme is safe at Carolina, but his starting position may not be.