We at Bear Goggles On have decided to count down the days until the Chicago Bears’ regular season opener on September 13th against their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers. As of today, there are eight days until the big day, giving us a reason to give you a profile on #8, Jimmy Clausen.
Jimmy Clausen played college football at Notre Dame, he was named starter his freshman year but lost the job due to lack of production. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2010 draft, pick number 48 overall. The Panthers gave Clausen a chance at starting in 2010 but, after a series of games filled with turnovers and poor passer ratings, he was benched.
They then decided he was not the future of the team and used their first overall draft pick in 2011 to select Cam Newton. Newton won the job during training camp and preseason thus causing the Panthers and Clausen to part ways. In June of 2014, the Bears signed Clausen to replace backup Josh McCown after he left to take the starting role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Initially, it was not expected that Clausen would see any regular season playing time in a Bears uniform. But, that all changed as the team’s season unraveled and Jay Cutler continued to struggle.
It was one of the worst seasons the Bears have had in years resulting in Cutler being benched for lack of production and excessive turnovers. Cutler was not the team’s only issue in 2014 but using him a scapegoat allowed for backup Clausen to get some time in the spotlight and a chance to redeem himself.
Clausen does not have the natural quarterback abilities of Cutler. However, when thrown into the starting position against the then number two ranked defensive in the Detroit Lions, he played better than expected.
He finished the game with 23 of 39 passes completed, 181 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Unfortunately, the Bears still lost 14-20. Clausen left the game with a concussion due to a vicious hit and was unable to start the following week.
Jul 30, 2015; Bourbonnais, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jimmy Clausen (8) during practice at Olivet Nazarene University. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
With the start of the 2015 season just days away it is clear Cutler will be under center for the Bears in week one against the Green Bay Packers. If, offensive coordinator Adam Gase is successful in the retooling of Cutler, then there will be no reason for Clausen to start this season.
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