Carson Palmer vs Terrell Owens: Which Former NFL Star Will Suit Up First?

The Bengals offense underwent some major overhauls over the offseason, including their franchise quarterback and their top wide receiver. Each player went out on different terms, but who will see the field first?

Terrell Owens is a Hall of Fame-caliber player and still has a little left in the tank. However, he did suffer an ACL tear over the offseason, and it will probably be another month or so before he can even play, let alone sign with a team. 

A lot of teams have already lost receivers to injury. The Rams look like a logical landing spot, as they lost Danny Amendola for the season. Although Amendola is a completely different receiver than Owens, Owens would probably be the best receiver on the roster if he is anything like his 2010 form. As the season wears on, it is only a matter of time before a contending team needs a band-aid at the receiver position. 

Palmer, on the other hand, is in a completely different situation. Although he has chosen to retire by his own will, he can return at any time. There was speculation that he would return at the end of training camp and force the Bengals to trade him for salary cap reasons, but that never surfaced. What seems likely at this point is that he may unretire at the end of the season. By then, the Bengals hope Andy Dalton will have established himself as the long-term starter, perhaps forcing them to trade Palmer. 

So, who will return to your television on Sunday afternoons first?

It looks like Owens has a better chance of playing in 2011 than Palmer. However, a lot of things need to happen in order for Owens to land on a team. First, his leg must heal quickly. Second, a team in contention needs to lose a receiver. A bottom-dweller is not going to give T.O. playing time over other guys they could develop. Third, he must be healthy enough in the team's eyes and Owens has to be willing to accept a veteran's minimum, which isn't guaranteed given the size of his ego.

If these things happen, Terrell Owens could be coming to a television near you.