Carson Palmer Trade Rumors: 10 Best Replacements for Cincinnati Bengals QB

Carson Palmer trade rumors have heated up now that it was reported by ESPN that Palmer wants to be dealt from the Bengals and has threatened retirement if his demands are not met.

It's a lofty claim from someone who had a terrible year, despite a ton of talent around him in the offense.  If the Bengals do get rid of Palmer, here are 10 guys Cincy can target in the offense to replace him and move on.

Any thoughts or comments? Leave them below.

No. 10: Billy Volek

Harry How/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Billy Volek #7 of the San Diego Chargers during warm up against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Now we haven't heard his name in a while, but if the Bengals want to go cheap, it's not a bad way to go.

Billy Volek had his moment in the sun with the Tennessee Titans before becoming a backup in San Diego behind Philip Rivers.  I'm not sure a guy like Cam Newton fits Cincinnati's system and Volek has a big arm and could replace Palmer.

If he put up big numbers with Drew Bennett in Tennessee, he can do it with the Bengals.

No. 9: Ryan Mallett

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Ryan Mallett has a lot of tools that would be appealing at the next level.

He's got a big, strong, accurate arm and he ran a big time offense at Arkansas.  However, he struggled in big games, which is a warning flag, but he could be an option for the Bengals if they like what they see when scouting him.

There are some concerns about him though, so buyer beware.

No. 8: Chad Pennington

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Quarterback Chad Pennington #10 of the Miami Dolphins walks off the field against the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game at Cowboys Stadium on September 2, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Imag

Again, if you want to go cheap, why not Chad Pennington?

Now we know the concern about Pennington and it's that shoulder that was injured in only a couple plays of action this season.  However, Pennington is going to try and give it a go next season and it's something that a lot of teams might be willing to explore.

He'll be available on the cheap and he's got plenty of experience. He's not a bad bridge to the future.

No. 7: Vince Young

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans plays against the San Diego Chargers in the game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Titans 33-25. (Photo by Jeff Gross/G

Now the Bengals have taken chances on head cases before, what's one more?

Vince Young won a lot of games in Tennessee, and regardless of how you want to look at that, it's still an impressive mark. He has improved since his rookie year and if the situation with the Titans has humbled him, he could be an effective option.

It's a risky option though.

No. 6: Jake Locker

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Sometimes it's not fair to play football and Jake Locker found out the hard way.

Locker looked like the first pick in the draft last year, but he decided to come back to Washington for one more year and now things are much more uncertain for Locker.  However, Locker could be a valuable replacement for the Bengals.

You have to worry about his lack of accuracy though.

No. 5: Blaine Gabbert

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

The last rookie on this list, we're looking at Blaine Gabbert.

Gabbert may be the first quarterback taken in the draft and the former Missouri quarterback could be an interesting option if they move Carson Palmer.  The quarterback has a lot of tools and he could be molded into a great player.

If the Bengals think the quarterback position needs to be addressed through the draft, then Gabbert may be the guy.

No. 4: Matt Hasselbeck

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to throw the ball during pregame before taking on the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Matt Hasselbeck is an intriguing option if you're looking to bridge the gap to a rookie.

Hasselbeck turned the clock back in the playoffs and played well for Seattle against New Orleans and Chicago despite having another down year.  He's not what he used to be when the Seahawks were in their prime a couple of years ago, but he's still a guy who can make plays.

I think a lot of teams will look at him.

No. 3: Kyle Orton

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the B

Despite the lack of success this year by the Denver Broncos and being benched for Tim Tebow by the end of the year, Kyle Orton had an amazing start of the year.

Orton's lack of success by the end of the year was because of the large number of passes the Broncos had him throw and the lack of a running game.  Denver was one-dimensional and it really hurt Orton after teams got film on him.

However, in the right system, he'd be a great fit.

No. 2: Donovan McNabb

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb is not going to be in Washington next year.

That much is certain, but what we don't know is where he will land.  Cincinnati would be an intriguing option for McNabb and he would be more of a fit for what the Bengals like to do on offense and would be a healthier situation than in Washington.

I think McNabb might end up with the Bengals next year if Cincy looks for a veteran.

No. 1: Kevin Kolb

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to avoid a sack from Anthony Spencer #93 of the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 14-1

A guy that Cincinnati could use to build its team around is Kevin Kolb.

The Philadelphia Eagles won't part with him on the cheap, but Kolb has made it clear that he would like to be dealt if Michael Vick returns next year, and let's be honest, that's going to happen.  So if Philly looks to move him, the Bengals may be in talks with the Eagles about him.

He's got a big arm and could be great with the proper time to shine.