Carolina Panthers' Bad Luck: Andrew Luck's Gain Is a Panther's Loss

In the NFL, the only upside to having the worst record in the league is picking first in the following year's draft.

Obviously, this was not a goal of the Carolina Panthers coming into the season, but because of a 2-14 record, huge gains could be made in the offseason.

After the news that John Fox would not be returning for the following season, big names surfaced as potential replacements. Ron Rivera, Rob Ryan, and possibly Bill Cowher are all favorites to replace Fox.

For all draft predictors, Andrew Luck of Stanford was everybody's No. 1 Pick. If Luck decided to enter the 2011 Draft, Carolina would have drafted Luck, no doubt.

However on Thursday, Luck announced he would return to Stanford, and not enter the Draft. For now, no potential No. 1 pick has entered the 2011 Draft, so Carolina will have to wait and see.

If you don't believe drafting a franchise quarterback can have quick success, you are wrong. Take the St. Louis Rams for example. Sam Bradford was drafted as the No. 1 pick, and took a dilapidated Rams team into playoff contention in 2010.

A possible reason for Luck's return to Stanford is the potential return of Jim Harbaugh, Stanford Head Coach.

For Carolina, if they choose not to draft a QB first round, possible professional quarterbacks could be in their future.

The Titans have announced they will part ways with Vince Young, whether it be through free agency or a trade.

In Washington, Donovan McNabb will also be departing. For the Redskins, trading McNabb to Carolina in exchange for the number one draft pick might be a possibility.

Washington could also add Albert Haynesworth to the deal.

As of now, the Carolina Panthers are off-season losers. They do not currently have a big name to fill the vacancy at the head coaching position, and have lost a huge draft opportunity in Andrew Luck.

Many things can change in the upcoming months, but for now, Carolina is traveling backwards.