Carson Palmer Demands to Be Traded: What Can the Bengals Get for Him?

Palmer is reportedly willing to retire if his demand to be traded isn't granted. He is due to earn $50 million over the next four seasons but none of that is guaranteed. It is hard to imagine a team trading for Palmer without restructuring his contract.

Here are some past trades that may help determine Carson Palmer's value.

3/17/2003: Boomer Esiason Traded To the Jets

On March 17, 1993, the Bengals traded Boomer Esiason to the New York Jets for a third round pick in the 1993 draft.

This is what the Bengals managed to get the last time they traded a veteran quarterback. Surely, they'll get more for Carson Palmer, right?

4/2/2002: Drew Bledsoe Traded To the Bills

On April 2nd, 2002, the New England Patriots traded Drew Bledsoe to the Buffalo Bills.

This was a long time ago, but there are comparisons. Like Palmer, Bledsoe had a gigantic contract that he signed with the Patriots. The deal was a record at the time and was good for ten years and $103 million dollars. Bledsoe had just been replaced as the starter for the Patriots by some guy named Tom Brady.

In return, the Patriots received the Bills' first round pick in 2003. By the way, the first pick in the 2003 draft was Carson Palmer*.

*Check out the 2003 draft. Palmer went number one, but there were some great players taken in the first round that year like Andre Johnson, Terrell Suggs, Troy Polamalu, Willis McGahee, Dallas Clark, Larry Johnson, and Nnamdi Asomugha.

6/7/2006: Steve McNair Traded To the Ravens

On June 7, 2006, Steve McNair was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens received a fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Bengals should expect to do better than this for Palmer.

3/22/2007: Matt Schaub Traded To the Texans

On March 22, 2007, the Atlanta Falcons traded Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans.

Atlanta and Houston flip-flopped their first round picks in the draft.

2/28/2009: Matt Cassel Traded To the Chiefs

On February 28, 2009, the Patriots traded Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Patriots received the No. 34 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft in exchange. This seems like a fair deal for Palmer.

4/2/2009: Jay Cutler Traded To the Bears

On April 2, 2009, the Denver Broncos traded Jay Cutler and a fifth round pick to the Chicago Bears.

The Bears had to give up quarterback Kyle Orton, the Bears' first and third round picks in 2009, and the Bears' first round pick in 2010.

Cutler was an up and coming quarterback with a bazooka for a throwing arm. Palmer is an aging, average quarterback with a weak arm.

If the Bengals could do this well, the Bengals would be thrilled, but don't count on it.

4/4/2010: Donavan McNabb Traded To the Redskins

On April 4, 2010, the Philadelphia Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins.

The Eagles received the 37th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and a conditional third or fourth round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

McNabb and Palmer are similar quarterbacks. This is the kind of deal you might see for Palmer.

4/24/2010: Jason Campbell Traded To the Raiders

On April 24, 2010, the Washington Redskins traded Jason Campbell to the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders only had to give up a fourth round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to acquire Campbell. Campbell isn't as accomplished as Palmer. Hopefully, the Bengals can do better than this.

In Summary

Some brainiac predicted here that the Bengals should trade Palmer for Vince Young. That still seems like a deal worth making.

Palmer isn't the only quarterback available. The Eagles will consider trading Kevin Kolb this off-season if they're offered a first round pick.

Also, keep in mind that trades can't be made until a new CBA is reached which won't happen until at least the end of February or March.