Carson Palmer To Demand Trade: Should The Miami Dolphins Pursue The Bengals QB?

According to numerous reports flowing out of various outlets, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will demand a trade.

Palmer is due for a hefty $11.5 million paycheck in 2011, but as he approaches 32 and the Bengals embark on another rebuilding period, a championship seems to be the preeminent goal on his NFL bucket list.

There will likely be an abundance of teams interested in acquiring Palmer's services and the Miami Dolphins might be amongst those. After all, even as the offseason nears, the free agent quarterback pool has only grown more grim and this year's crop of rookie quarterbacks look meek at best.

Not to mention, the Dolphins' 15th overall pick will likely leave them out of contention for any of the top-tier quarterbacks.

So, as of now, the Dolphins are without a legitimate starting quarterback and only a handful of undesirable options exist. Carson Palmer seems to be a picturesque, almost a "deus ex machina" solution, but between his declining play, contract and trade value, is he a realistic option for the 'Fins?

First of all, Palmer has been in an steady decline since he suffered a devastating ACL tear in 2005. His quarterback rating has dipped in each season since and he finished with a career-low 82.4 (still heaps better than Chad Henne's 75.4) rating in 2010 (compared to 101.1 in 2005).

But those struggles are a bit overblown.

Palmer (disregarding an injury-shortened 2008 season) has thrown for over 4,000 yards twice in his career and has never thrown for less than 3,000. He has never thrown less than 21 touchdowns in a season and his worse TD-to-INT ratio is 26-to-20.

Perhaps Palmer set such a high bar for himself in 2005 and 2006 that even his semi-respectable play over the past few seasons seems exaggeratedly worse.

Second, Palmer's current contract pays him an aforementioned $11.5 million next season. Although Stephen Ross has shown no hesitations in opening up his wallet, it is difficult to imagine the Dolphins splurging on a 32-year-old quarterback with a questionable knee and sub-par performance over the past few seasons.

Palmer would likely have to restructure his contract in Miami, but he could leverage the team's desperation for a quarterback and inflate his salary.

Third and perhaps most importantly: What will the Bengals demand in return?

It is safe to assume (if they cave into his demands) Cincinnati will demand a second- or a third-round pick for Palmer, which could complicate matters for the Dolphins?

Miami parted with its second-round pick in order to acquire Brandon Marshall last summer, so even if the Bengals ask for a third-round pick in exchange for Palmer, the Dolphins must be willing to surrender another very valuable draft pick.

Although a third-round pick seems insignificant on the surface, teams cherish the opportunity to grab heralded talent and pay small contracts.

However, based on this regime's numerous draft gaffes, a steady quarterback that provides the Dolphins an immediate upgrade and a chance to win outweighs anything they will find in the third round.

Despite the criticism, Palmer has absorbed over the past few seasons in Cincinnati, the final two games of the 2010 season might serve as an indication that the former Heisman Trophy winner still has something left in the tank.

With diva duo Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens sidelined, Palmer posted two of his best performances of the season.

In Week 16, Palmer tossed four touchdowns and no interceptions en route to an upset win versus the playoff-vying San Diego Chargers. Without Ochocinco and Owens, Palmer looked rejuvenated throwing to the likes of Jerome Simpson and Jordan Shipely, and this could indicate that all he really needs is a change of scenery to resurrect his once promising career.

Before you dismiss Palmer, remember Kurt Warner failed with the Giants before leading the Arizona Cardinals to the Super Bowl, Kerry Collins played for seemingly every team in the NFL before leading the Titans to a 14-2 record in 2008 and Michael Vick served a prison sentence prior to his majestic 2010 season.

Carson Palmer is an established veteran with playoff experience, a history of huge success and a personality that could inject life into a lethargic Dolphins offense. Although he has been just mediocre over the past few seasons, he deserves a change of scenery to rid himself of the Bengals' losing stench.

He might not be the perfect solution, but Palmer might be the best scenario for the Miami Dolphins.