With Carson Palmer, the San Francisco 49ers Are in the NFC Championship in 2012

Recently, on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Colin raised a good point that bears repeating: The San Francisco 49ers could very well end up in the NFC Championship next year by trading for Carson Palmer.

While some of you may question the source, the thought is not out of the question. Remember, the 49ers play in the notoriously weak NFC West, where a record of 7-9 made the playoffs. Seattle, with some 275 roster moves, still won the division!

St. Louis, with a talented young quarterback, is probably the favorite. The Cardinals, especially without a QB, are well, the Cardinals.

Add a veteran quarterback to the 49ers' already talented club, and you have the 49ers winning the division, maybe earning a first-round bye and being one game away from the NFC Championship Game.

What the Niners also know is that once you are in the playoffs, a "hot" team can advance, much like the Packers this year. With new head coach Jim Harbaugh, there is a feeling that the 49ers can have it both ways: Add a veteran quarterback now and groom a youngster for the future. 

Who would be a better veteran influence than Carson Palmer?  Palmer can start for a couple of years while the 49ers and Harbaugh slowly bring along his successor.

Speculation has already begun linking Palmer to the San Francisco 49ers. Palmer's agent, David Dunn (who also happens to represent new 49er coach Jim Harbaugh), sent out a press release over the weekend that Palmer wanted out of Cincinnati. Adding fuel to the fire, former ESPN host Dan Patrick mentioned on his radio show that he was told in confidence some six weeks ago that Palmer wanted to go to the Niners.  Palmer's wife, Shaelyn, grew up in the Bay Area. 

When you think about it, it makes sense, and who could blame him? What QB wants to face both the Steelers and Ravens twice a year when he can flourish in the NFC West? The Bengals are a dysfunctional organization with a history of players with questionable behavior, e.g. Chad Johnson (aka Ochocinco) and Terrell Owens, among others.

In short, Palmer knows things are not going to change and wants out. As a SoCal guy, he would probably love to return to the warmer climate on the West Coast.

Bengal President Mike Brown responded by saying Palmer is not going anywhere. But without a collective bargaining agreement, no trades can take place. While Brown is adamant now, he may have to reconsider, as no organization wants the face of its franchise being a QB that does not want to be there—even the Bengals.

From the 49ers' perspective, GM Trent Baalke has made it clear he does not see his future QB on the current roster. Alex Smith and Troy Smith are both free agents, and if I was David Carr (the only signed QB), I wouldn't feel too secure. The 49ers are desperate for someone that can win now because they know the NFC West is there for the taking.

Owner Jed York held on to head coach Mike Singletary thinking even he could win in that division. When it became obvious that was not going to happen, he was fired.

Some have also speculated the Niners are interested in Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb. In 2009, they made a run at Kurt Warner. From what is out there, Palmer seems to the best fit. The Eagles want to keep Kolb, so prying him away is going to probably require a first-round draft choice, and maybe more. Both Andy Reid and Mike Shanahan have passed on McNabb, so that should tell you something. 

Palmer, on the other hand, is a former two-time Pro Bowler, an eight-year pro that can still be productive. Having thrown for over 3,900 yards in 2010, he totaled 26 touchdowns versus 20 interceptions. On the other hand, Alex Smith's career-high season total was 18 TDs vs. 12 INTs in 2009.

In 2008, Kurt Warner was able to get the Arizona Cardinals all the way to the Super Bowl. If the 49ers can land Carson Palmer, don't be surprised to see them in the NFC Championship next year.