NFL Free Agency 2011: Where Will Cedric Benson Be Running Next Season?

The Cincinnati Bengals are undergoing an offensive overhaul this offseason. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens will be gone, Cedric Benson will be a free agent, Carson Palmer is demanding a trade and they have signed a new offensive coordinator.

Benson said he would not re-sign with the Bengals if they kept the same offensive coordinator. The hiring of Jay Gruden earlier this month seems to have changed his tune, and as a result there are many possibilities for where he will end up. After all, just because Cincinnati got a new coordinator doesn't automatically mean Benson will re-sign with them.

Which teams are among those most likely to sign the punishing power running back? Here are 10 places that seem to make the most sense for him.

10. Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Runningback Tim Hightower #34 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeat

There are no rumors of this possibility floating around, but I honestly don't believe that the Tim Hightower/Beanie Wells split is working out in Arizona.

The Cardinals were 32nd in rushing offense, and while Hightower was the weak link in 2009, Wells was the weak link this year, averaging 3.4 yards per carry.

Benson would be a possibility to take over for one or both of them, though one of the backs would have to be traded away.

9. Washington Redskins

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Austen Lane #92 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to tackle Ryan Torain #46 of the Washington Redskins during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

This one makes the least sense, but you can't put anything past Daniel Snyder. He'll take a risk on someone productive who has baggage, so who knows?

While the Redskins do have decent runners, Clinton Portis is injured far too often these days, and it remains to be seen whether or not Ryan Torain is a one-season wonder.

8. St. Louis Rams

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Stephen Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams runs against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Steven Jackson has been the workhorse of the Rams for many seasons, and has the numbers to show for it. The problem with that is the Rams are a team on the rise, and Jackson could be burned out by the time they're a contender.

Bringing in Cedric Benson to split some of the workload, as unlikely as it may seem, would give the Rams a dangerous rushing attack and would help take eyes off a mediocre receiving group. It would also help Jackson not have to run the ball 330 times a season.

7. Denver Broncos

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos used to be a team that could make a 1,000-yard rusher out of anybody. Those days are gone, as Knowshon Moreno couldn't even hit 800 this past season.

While a Moreno/Correll Buckhalter combination might not be the answer, a Moreno/Benson duo could work wonders moving forward. They'll be able to keep the ball moving and make things easier on Tim Tebow as they try to turn their fortunes around.

6. Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Joseph Addai #29 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo b

The Colts were a great passing team that didn't have much of a running game in 2010. While that may not sound like the Colts at all, that's what happened. Part of this was due to Joseph Addai missing half the year, but since his contract's expiring after next season, maybe it's time to go in a new direction.

Having Peyton Manning run the offense could be exactly what Benson needs, as there not many situations in the league more stable than that.

5. New Orleans Saints

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Chris Ivory #29 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Gett

This doesn't sound like a move the Saints would make, but they do have a possible hole at running back to fix. The Saints have a lot of backs—just no great ones.

Pierre Thomas is a free agent, and Reggie Bush is nowhere near an every-down back. Chris Ivory has shown promise, but time will tell if he can be good year in and year out. Signing Benson and having a Benson/Ivory duo could work wonders.

4. Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around the tackle of Frank Walker #41 of the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

You wouldn't think the Lions would be on here seeing as they just drafted Jahvid Best, but they do need help in the power aspect of the running game. Kevin Smith no longer seems to be the answer Lions fans were expecting, and Benson can take over in that role.

It would be hard, but not impossible, to figure out how to split carries between Best and Benson.

3. New York Giants

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants carries the ball against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Personally, I think the race for acquiring Benson is down to the top three, since it fits need and style. The first of this group is the New York Giants, who will be losing Ahmad Bradshaw to free agency. Cedric Benson can easily fill that void.

On top of that, Brandon Jacobs is not the back he used to be. There is a possibility that Bradshaw will re-sign with the Giants, but they may be turned off by his frequent fumbling.

2. Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 26: Running back Ronnie brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins is stopped by the Detroit Lions at Sun Life Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Lions defeated the Dolphins 34-27. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will be free agents in the offseason, and as a result, nearly all mock drafts have the Dolphins selecting Mark Ingram. On the chance they don't do that, or even if they do, the Dolphins may want to add a power back.

Cedric Benson seems like he would fit well with the Dolphins. After all, they were able to turn Williams into a productive back, and he had far more issues. Having Benson there could also prevent needing to use two backs, though they may have to anyway if they can't figure out the quarterback situation.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Right now, I don't think there's any doubt that Benson will re-sign with the Cincinnati Bengals, but that is, as always, subject to change.

Benson is a big fan of the Jay Gruden hiring as the new offensive coordinator and is just as happy about the firing of OC Bob Bratkowski. Now that he's had two good seasons after starting off poorly in Chicago, he seems ready to settle down with a fairly sizable contract.

Even with the other offensive players departing, it looks like Benson will be a constant in the Bengals offense going forward.