If Andrew Luck declares for the NFL draft in the spring it is a foregone conclusion that the Carolina Panthers will select him with the #1 pick. It's impossible to do better than that and history has shown us there is no guarantee that opportunity will present itself later if he passes on it now. If Andrew Luck stays he will have the chance to cement his legacy as the greatest quarterback to ever play at Stanford and a possible shot at the national championship. There are pros and cons for staying in school for one more season. Let's review them.
The Pros:
1. Andrew Luck gets to stay one more year and enjoy the college experience while perfecting his craft.
2. His father was an NFL quarterback so the family isn't strapped for cash.
3. The Carolina Panthers need more than a quarterback to change their fortunes and there is uncertainty at the head coaching position.
4. The NFL labor negotiations aren't going very well and the possibility of a lock out is very real.
5. There will be a rookie salary cap in the next collective bargaining agreement so the money from one year to the next won't be significantly different.
The Cons:
1. There's nothing to prove in college after leading Stanford to a 12 win season and an Orange Bowl victory.
2. There's a good chance he won't be the #1 pick next year if he comes back for one more season (Locker and Leinart are perfect examples).
3. He unnecessarily risks injury.
4. He may wind up with a team worse than the Carolina Panthers if he stays (Oakland, Cincinnati, Buffalo).
5. The extra time gives the media more opportunity to scrutinize all of his flaws and create unrealistic expectation.
6. Jim Harbaugh will not return as head coach.
In the end I always say leave when you have maximized your value and accomplished all your goals. In my opinion Andrew Luck would be a fool to return to Stanford next year and not take advantage of his current situation. The risk is too great. Stranger things have happened though. Stay tuned.
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