Jake Delhomme Released by Carolina Panthers

By James Sheldon on March 5th, 2010

It was the beginning of the end for Jake Delhomme.

After a dismal season in Carolina Blue, Silver and Black, the Carolina Panthers have released quarterback Jake Delhomme. In all my years of breathing from the tank labeled “NFL” on Sunday afternoons in the fall, this was a relationship that developed into something I could never quite understand.

I love Jake Delhomme. I do. A Louisiana native, and former Saints back-up, he became one of the greatest bargains in the NFL, leading Carolina to two NFC Championships, and a tightly contested Super Bowl. But then came the injuries. The drop in confidence. The diminished skill-set. And how did the franchise react? By signing him to a 20 million dollar, multi-year extension after the 2009 playoff debacle in which he threw five picks and fumbled once–the business relationship between Delhomme and the Panthers had been a recipe for disaster, cooking for nearly four years.

In the NFL, news is always entertaining, but especially when the milk goes sour. As they made the announcement, both head coach John Fox and General Manager Marty Hurney choked back tears, calling it the most difficult decision they ever made. For Delhomme, he’s without an NFL home, but if he chooses to cry, he can do it all the way to the bank. Carolina owes him another 13 million to make good on the guarantee.