NFL Trade Speculation: The Latest on Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals QB

With the drafting of Andy Dalton and the official sale of Carson Palmer’s house, it looks all but certain that Palmer will be changing his stripes in 2011.

Months after threatening retirement if he wasn’t traded and making the comment, “I will never step foot in Paul Brown Stadium again,” little has happened in terms of development, but rumors have surfaced nonetheless.

Many say Carson Palmer isn’t the quarterback that he once was. However, I feel Palmer could be just as effective as he was in ’05 and possibly even better. It is time for a change of scenery.

The following teams have been linked to the Bengal star and would give him the best chance to get back on top.

5. Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates while playing against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapol

This hasn’t been the hottest rumored spot for Palmer, but there has been a dull buzz. With Christian Ponder and Joe Webb being the only quarterbacks on the Vikings roster, the chances of them looking for a veteran presence at the spot shouldn’t be much of a stretch.

Inserting Palmer into the Viking mix could work wonders for both Palmer and the team. With talent like Sidney Rice to throw to and Adrian Peterson to hand off to, you could do worse.

Palmer could be plugged into Minnesota as a starter from the get-go and be looked upon as a crowd favorite instantly. If they fix the offensive line, this could be a fantastic match.

4. Tennessee Titans

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs for a touchdown during NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Another quiet rumor, but another logical landing spot for the 31-year-old Palmer. Similar to the Vikings situation, they don’t have a great deal of stability at quarterback. With rookie Jake Locker the future looks bright, but that is the future.

After Locker? Kerry Collins and Rusty Smith. Collins is more suited for ESPN now, and anyone who watched the Titans-Texans game in Week 12 will agree it was painfully obvious the FAU product Smith is not ready for the NFL.

I think the biggest Palmer to Tennessee deterrent will be what got Palmer into this situation in the first place. He has expressed his dislike for the Bengal franchise for its losing ways. How will he fare in Tennessee if the Titans don’t start winning?

3. Miami Dolphins

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins makes the catch as Kyle Arrington #27 of the New England Patriots defends on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

This was a rumor that had a lot of steam leading up to the draft but seemingly never panned out, or hasn’t yet. In early April, Dolphin great Dan Marino endorsed a trade for Palmer, saying, “For a third-rounder, I would do it," adding, “I've always liked Carson.”

I doubt the Bengals would make the trade for a third-round choice, but they are on the right path here.

With a draft class featuring an obvious offensive emphasis—four of six picks dedicated to that side of the ball—maybe Miami is looking to make a run at an upper-tier signal caller. Palmer is better than Chad Henne, and with a team that is 7-9, maybe he could be just what they need to get over the hump in a very competitive division.

2. Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals scrambles to pass the football during the NFL game against the St. Louis Rams at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defea

Another rumor that was heavy on the tips of tongues around draft time. Palmer to the Cards was hyped by Kurt Warner just two weeks ago on The Dan Patrick Show, saying that it would be a good “fit” for both parties.

I would have to agree with Warner. I have heard a lot or rumors swirling around regarding Eagle backup Kevin Kolb and the aforementioned Cardinals, but are they willing to give up a first-round pick and more to win the Kolb sweepstakes, especially since Kolb is a player who has only seven career starts, including 11 TDs and 14 INTs?

It would be a big risk and reward situation for the Cardinals. With two young and eventually capable quarterbacks on the roster in John Skelton and Max Hall, will they look for a shorter-term fix or a young, long-term solution? Hall and Skelton, although young, could develop nicely with tutelage.

1. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Everybody and their brother have been fueling this fire since Palmer initially said he wanted out of Cincinnati. Seattle has a huge need at quarterback, they say. It will reunite him with college coach Pete Carroll. His wife wants to be on the West Coast again.

God, I hate the lockout. I am building my arguments on Carson Palmer’s wife! Well, I will have to take what I can get.

Aside from the missus, Palmer to Seattle does actually make sense. Trent Dilfer made it abundantly clear Matt Hasselbeck wouldn’t be back in town, and Charlie Whitehurst did not shine in his time as a starter.

The Seahawks were a playoff team, losing record or not, and having Carson Palmer in such a weak division will give them a step up on any other team in the NFC West. They may have been bashed for their draft picks, but they made the statement of “we will protect our quarterback.” I will admit if that quarterback is Carson Palmer, the Seahawks will be steps ahead in 2011.