AP

The Panthers spent a boatload of money in free agency last year, and the bill has come due. While the team doesn’t have many key players to re-sign, Carolina needs to shed a lot of salary before the start of the new league year.

One candidate to be released, according to the Charlotte Observer, is Jimmy Clausen. The former quarterback of the future in Carolina was the No. 3 quarterback of the present behind Cam Newton and Derek Anderson in 2011.

He’s due a roster bonus of $923,000 in March, which is a lot of money for a No. 3 quarterback. It’s not crazy money if the Panthers are confident in Clausen’s ability to be a backup. Anderson is a free agent and the team could simply choose to elevate Clausen.

It will be a remarkably far fall from grace for Clausen if the Panthers let him go. Just two years ago, Clausen was viewed as a likely first round pick. He had a disastrous rookies season and was an afterthought last year. G.M. Marty Hurney may not want to admit his mistake on Clausen so soon.

If the Panthers do let Clausen go, perhaps the Broncos can sign him so he can say bad things about Tim Tebow to Mike Silver.