NFL Food for Thought: 10 Possible Suitors for Philadelphia Eagles QB Kevin Kolb

All offseason we heard Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid rave about how good Kevin Kolb is and how will be the starting quarterback for the Eagles. Reid expected him to play well.

Reid never anticipated what he would get opening day.

Kevin Kolb left Week 1 with a concussion against the Green Bay Packers.

Enter Michael Vick.

Vick relieved Kolb and played fantastic football. He played so well that everybody questioned why Reid would ever think about putting Kolb back in as the starter.

Michael Vick took the starting job and never looked back. Even when Vick was forced to miss time with a rib injury, he remained the starting quarterback.

Michael Vick is enjoying an MVP season. He is better than he ever was with improved field vision and accuracy to compliment his incredible rocket arm, cheetah-like speed and cat-like quickness.

Michael Vick hopes to return next season with Philadelphia. At this point, there is no reason to believe he won’t. It also begs the question, what happens to Kevin Kolb?

Philadelphia has no reason to keep Kolb other than as insurance for if Vick gets hurt.

Could another team come in and try to swindle a deal for the quarterback Andy Reid viewed as better than both Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick during the 2010 offseason?

Which teams would possibly contemplate trading for Kolb in the 2011 offseason?

10. Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Marvin Lewis the Head Coach of the Cincinnati Bengals gives instructions to his team during the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

The Bengals need a complete overhaul. Carson Palmer never reached his full potential due to injuries. If management decides to blow the team up, he could be on the chopping block. Cincinnati will finish with one of the worst records in the league and should draft one of the top quarterbacks in April’s draft.

Still, the Bengals tasted success last season and want it again. Trading for Kevin Kolb would put them ahead of schedule as they groom their rookie. They could do the same with Carson Palmer on the roster, but management may decide to enter a new era.

9. Detroit Lions

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Matthew Stafford #9 and Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions watch the pregame warm-up prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Image

In his first two seasons, Matthew Stafford has been bit by the injury bug. He missed most of this season with a shoulder injury. Shaun Hill and even Drew Stanton played well in his replacement, but they have made too many mistakes, which cost the Lions games.

The Lions have a fantastic young core. Stafford is the future in Detroit, there is no doubt about that. Kevin Kolb would be insurance for Detroit just in case Stafford went down. It may be a hefty price, but if the Lions are winning, it would be worth it for this young team.

8. Miami Dolphins

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano on the sideline against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Chad Henne is a good quarterback. He was supposed to make the leap to the next tier this season. He failed and the Dolphins were a major disappointment. The Dolphins may decide to give it another shot with Henne, but they could also bring in Kevin Kolb to create competition. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown most likely won’t be around next season, so they’ll be forced to draft a running back at some point.

Instead of drafting another quarterback, trade for a veteran who could push Henne or at the very least, start for Miami in 2011. Kevin Kolb would have Brandon Marshall, one of the top receivers in the league, to work with. The coaching staff in Miami is very good and would work well with Kolb.

7. Carolina Panthers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 19: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers cheers on his team during their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Panthers would be lucky to get the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. They would most likely take Andrew Luck as Jimmy Clausen does not appear to be the answer. This is, of course, if John Fox does not return. He picked Clausen and would most likely see to it that he gets a fair shot. It is no guarantee that Fox will return though.

If a new coaching staff is in place, they may draft Luck and want a veteran to get them going. Matt Moore is not that veteran. Kevin Kolb would be a serviceable piece to get the franchise going as they wait for Luck to take over. Kolb would have a great rushing attack behind him with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson. Even better, Steve Smith is still one of the top receivers in the league.

6. Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Coach Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans calls instructions to his team against the Houston Texans at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/G

There are rumors that the Titans could part ways with either Vince Young or Jeff Fisher. If Young does go, Jeff Fisher desperately needs to inject some life into his offense. Kerry Collins can only take this team so far and his body may be breaking down soon. The Titans offense would work well for Kevin Kolb. Chris Johnson is a fantastic back and Kenny Britt would be a solid receiver for Kolb to work with.

5. Washington Redskins

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb will most likely be gone.

Mike Shanahan trusted Rex Grossman to start the final three games of the season, but does he really view the veteran as his franchise quarterback?

At the very least, trading for Kevin Kolb would create competition in camp and give Shanahan options at quarterback heading into the 2011 season.

The Redskins will not win with Rex Grossman, that’s for sure.

4. San Francisco 49ers

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers watches as his team takes on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Da

Alex Smith has proven that he is not the answer in San Francisco. He is the definition of a bust at this point. At first, people sympathized for him due to all of the different offensive coordinators. Not only has he been inconsistent this season, but he has proven throughout his career to be injury prone. A team cannot win without consistency from their starting quarterback.

It is time to move on. If Mike Singletary returns, he may not have the time to groom a young quarterback. Kevin Kolb has some experience and could come in and lead the 49ers to the top of the wide open NFC West division.

3. Arizona Cardinals

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals calls a play against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Ima

John Skelton? Max Hall? Derek Anderson?

No. No. No.

The answer for head coach Ken Whisenhunt is not on his roster. They will have an option to draft another young quarterback, but does Whisenhunt really want to gamble again? Let these other projects develop and bring in Kevin Kolb to throw to superstar Larry Fitzgerald. The NFC West is wide open. As the Cardinals bring in more defensive firepower, all they need is consistency from the quarterback position and Beanie Wells healthy to jump right back to the top of the West.

2. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 19: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Gett

Matt Hasselbeck seems all but done in Seattle. He has taken this team as far as he could and Pete Carroll wants to get younger. “Clipboard Jesus” Charlie Whitehurst has never been the answer for any team. He is merely a decent quarterback and one who will not win many games.

Kevin Kolb still meets Carroll’s criteria of a younger player and one with some experience. Kolb is at least more talented than Whitehurst. It would allow Carroll to still draft a quarterback to groom, if he desires, but also have a good quarterback on his roster to start opening day.

1. Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 20: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings is attended to after being sacked by the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium on December 20, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Brett Favre most likely won’t be back next season. Tarvaris Jackson is not a franchise starting quarterback. Joe Webb will only be in his second season. Even if the Vikings draft a quarterback, their great supporting cast will be greatly hindered.

The Vikings could make a trade for Kevin Kolb, who at least has spent the time on the sidelines to study the game. The Vikings, despite their woes this season, actually have a championship caliber team. If Kolb plays smart, the Vikings could make the playoffs in the NFC.