Jimmy Clausen went from one of the highest-profile college gigs to witness protection in Carolina.
But not only is he back on an NFL roster, he may be about to win the Bears backup job.
Via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune, Bears coach Marc Trestman said Clausen would follow starter Jay Cutler Thursday, leapfrogging Jordan Palmer.
Clausen was sharp in Friday’s preseason debut, completing 7-of-13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
That’s quite a comeback for a guy who hadn’t taken a regular season snap since 2010, when the Panthers threw the second-rounder to the wolves for a team that would go 2-14.
When Cam Newton was drafted first overall the following year, Clausen grabbed a clipboard, which he held firmly for two seasons before spending last year on IR with a shoulder injury.
But he’s impressed in his short time with the Bears, and if he keeps it up, he might go down as Trestman’s best reclamation project yet.