Panthers reach deal with ex-Notre Dame QB Clausen

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have come to terms with quarterback Jimmy Clausen on a four-year contract that includes $2.53 million in guarantees, ensuring they'll have no rookie holdouts at the start of training camp.

The second-round pick from Notre Dame agreed to his deal hours before the Panthers reported to Wofford College on Wednesday. He was the last of Carolina's 10 draft selections to be unsigned.

Agent Gary Wichard and the Panthers worked through the night to reach a deal, which was struck after a fourth-year escalator -- a rarity for a second-round pick -- was included that tops out at $2.85 million. The total package could be worth as much as $6.3 million.

Clausen will likely start practice on Thursday as the third-string quarterback behind Matt Moore and Hunter Cantwell, but could eventually challenge Moore for the starting job. The Panthers released seven-year starter Jake Delhomme in the offseason.

Projected by many to be a top-10 pick, Clausen had a stunning fall in April's draft, landing at Carolina with the 48th overall selection.