Jimmy Clausen: 7 Teams Who Should Make a Deal for the Carolina Panthers QB

Talk about a huge vote of confidence.

Jimmy Clausen's time in Carolina could be coming to a close. New coach Ron Rivera has made no guarantees that Clausen will be the starter, telling the Chicago Tribune "there are absolutely no promises but the opportunity to compete." 

Trae's translation: If someone else comes in and does even marginally better, it's been good knowing you.

I was never sold on Clausen from the beginning. As a rookie, he threw for 1,558 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The question now is where could Clausen wind up?

I don't see a lot of takers, and the ones that would take a chance on him would probably take him in a backup capacity at best. Here are seven who could take a shot.

7. Cincinnati Bengals

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If Carson Palmer does follow through and retire, then the Bengals will be left with a hole to fill.

Maybe Jimmy will get a second chance to start. This is the Bengals, after all.

I have a hard time seeing Cincinnati luring a big-name free agent quarterback (this does have Vince Young written all over it, though), and they will probably draft a quarterback.

Clausen may find a landing spot here.

6. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks rolls out with the ball during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Pete Carroll could take a shot and bring Clausen in to battle with Charlie Whitehurst for the backup spot. Whoever loses out could be the No. 3 guy.

Whitehurst has shown flashes of potential, but he also attempted just 100 passes last year. The kid is still very raw, and I don't think they're ready to turn the reins over to him once Matt Hasselbeck retires.

5. Miami Dolphins

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Tyler Thigpen #16 of the Miami Dolphins drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game at Cowboys Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Chad Henne looks safe for now, but backup Tyler Thigpen was just given a second-round tender, meaning if a team signs him it would have to forfeit a second-round pick.

I like Thigpen and think the kid deserves a shot somewhere. Miami's smart to hang on to him, but if he leaves, then Clausen could be a low-risk addition.

4. Dallas Cowboys

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Stephen McGee #7 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 14-13. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Get

Backup Jon Kitna obviously still has something left in the tank, but after him, Stephen McGee is currently the No. 3 man for the Cowboys.

There were times when McGee looked impressive during last year's dreadful season, but I don't think he's done enough yet to convince the team to keep him around long-term. Clausen would be worth a shot here for the No. 3 spot.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars talks with Mike Carey #94 during pregame warm ups prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scot

If Cam Newton falls to them, I still think Jack Del Rio should pull the trigger on the Auburn quarterback.

After David Garrard, the Jags currently have Trent Edwards, Todd Bouman and Luke McCown to turn to at the quarterback position. Total touchdown passes for those three: three. Yes, the exact same number Clausen had last season.

As a backup, I think Clausen could potentially work himself into the mix.

2. San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

If I'm Jim Harbaugh, I grab a capable, experienced veteran via free agency and then get Clausen as insurance with a small, one-year deal.

Alex Smith obviously was a bust, and Troy Smith was at times decent, but not good enough to be a long-term starter. Harbaugh knows a thing or two about being a quarterback, so if there's someone who could improve Clausen, it's him.

Like the rest, this would be a good spot for Clausen to be a backup. Who knows—he could wind up in the starter's role at some point if another player gets injured.

1. Minnesota Vikings

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Minnesota won't be ignorant and hand him the reins as a starter.

My bet is the Vikings draft a quarterback and then get another veteran via free agency. You could then invite Clausen in to compete for the No. 3 spot. Tarvaris Jackson wasn't given a tender offer, so Clausen could compete with Joe Webb instead.