NFL Free Agency Rumors: 5 Potential Landing Spots for Sidney Rice

Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice will become a free agent before the next season. The likelihood of him playing for a different team is almost a guarantee as he just recently turned down an offer from the Vikings.

Why does it matter if he gets traded?

He has the potential to be a No. 1 receiver for almost any team that seeks to sign him.

There is, however, one factor that could have teams lean away from signing Rice: his recent hip surgery. He didn't want to get it, having surgery could have ended his career, or at least not have been able to let him perform as well as before.

Regardless, the great thing for him is that there are plenty of teams in the NFL that are seeking a No. 1 receiver for their organization. Another plus for a receiver-depleted team signing Rice is that they'll have talent right away—Rice has NFL experience and is already at a high level of play.

They wouldn't have to take a risk in the draft like the Detroit Lions did in the 2005 draft with Mike Williams who was such a hyped up receiver prior to draft day—two seasons with only two touchdowns and his days in Motor City were done.

So why bother taking the chance at having a receiver flake out when you can sign Rice and have talent right away? 

Chicago Bears

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 27: Wide receiver Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 27, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeate

Cutler deserves a good wide receiver. I'm not just putting Da Bears down because I'm a fan, but this move would make complete sense. 

Who do the Bears have at the receiver position? Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett? At least those are the only ones that are "known" throughout the NFL.

The truth is, the Bears don't have a No. 1 receiver and they don't have a receiver (with the exception of their tight ends) over the height of six feet. How tall is Rice? Six foot, four inches. 

Most of Cutler's throws that turn into interceptions are results of the ball going overs the receivers head—because they are too short.

Signing Rice would be a valuable acquisition and a smart move for GM Jerry Angelo to make. Plus, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a player whose former team plays the Bears two times each season... 

Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

It's pretty easy to say that Carson Palmer won't ever play for the Bengals again—he'd rather retire. So a quarterback is in the works for the Bengals.

Also, Terrell Owens and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson are free agents and it is likely at least one, maybe even both, won't re-sign. So another receiver is in the works for the Bengals.

With all three of those players gone, a new offense will be in the works for the Bengals.

See a pattern here?

At least, if the Bengals signed Rice, the new quarterback would have a premiere wideout to work with.

Cincinnati could have their very own "big three" with the drafting of a quarterback in the first round. Cedric Benson, Sidney Rice and Cam Newton, perhaps? 

Cleveland Browns

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 03: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings makes the catch as D.J. Johnson #29 of the New York Giants defends on January 3, 2010 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Ever since the departures of both Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow, there hasn't been a true threatening receiver in Cleveland.

Sure, they have Ben Watson at the tight end spot who replaced the hole that Winslow left, but did they ever seek out to get a new receiver?

Well, in the 2009 draft they brought in their No. 1 and No. 2 receivers Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie, respectively. Both are tall receivers, but haven't shown that they can produce the stats and numbers that the Browns organization are looking for.

Rice could help out the offense and provide the vertical threat that Cleveland needs and will be the team's No. 1 receiver for a long time.

Kansas City Chiefs

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 17: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against Jonathan Vilma #51 of the New York Jets during their preseason game on August 17, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 31-16

Dwayne Bowe was one of the best receivers for the second half of last years season. He was also one of the best receivers for the entire season as well.

So why did the Chiefs place 30th in the league for passing yards per game?

Bowe is the only receiver that the Chiefs really have. Running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Tony Moeaki both had more receptions than the No. 2 wide receiver for the Chiefs (Chris Chambers, 22 catches to Charles' 45 and Moeaki's 47—Bowe had 72 receptions on the year.)

They already have the No. 1 rush attack with the tandem of Thomas Jones and Charles, adding Rice would make another tandem to be reckoned with at the wideout position and could help land the Chiefs in the playoffs again next season.

Seattle Seahawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on from the sideline in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

Rice and Mike Williams would make a dangerous duo for foes of the Seattle Seahawks. Williams is a towering 6'5" while, as said before, Rice is 6'4". 

Williams just got his feet wet into the NFL, again, after taking a couple years off from play. He has matured and has room to grow.

Rice is coming off his injury after only playing six games last season.

Both receivers can make a fresh start together and, providing the Seahawks quarterback situation is solid, keep the Seahawks at the top of the NFC West next season.