Carson Palmer Trade Steal For Bengals?

In a blog post by ESPN author, Jameson Hensley, the clear consensus is that the trade that sent Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders from the Cincinnati Bengals for a 1st round pick in 2012 and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2013 was a steal. Of course, when fist hearing of the trade, I too agreed with Hensley.

Carson Palmer had retired as a result of demanding a trade from the Bengals this past offseason and not receiving his wish. He served no purpose to the Bengals, who have found their potential quarterback of the future in Andy Dalton in the 2nd round in this past year's draft. So when Mike Brown, the stubborn owner of the Bengals, finally heard an offer he couldn't refuse he had to pull the trigger.

What sports analysts are missing is the "what if?". What if Carson Palmer returns to the elite form he had from 2003-2006? The fact of the matter is a teams in the NFL are all mediocre until they emerge as favorites. The Bengals franchise is arguably the worst franchise in the NFL. Palmer made that team relavent for a couple of years, what if when Palmer goes to a team with an above average offensive line such as the Raiders? What if Palmer goes to a team with an elite running back such as Darren Mcfadden of the Raiders? What if Palmer goes to a team with an above average defense? What if he reunites with his former coach Hugh Jackson? What if he had receivers with elite speed? But most of all, what if he rekindled his passion for the game, with a franchise that looks hopeful to become a playoff team from years to come?

All of these 'what if' questions will be answered this season. If these questions are answered positively, then the Raiders made a good trade. Elite quarterbacks are hard to find, just ask the Bengals, who drafted Akili Smith 3rd overall once upon a time. If you can get an elite quarterback that can win you playoff games, then it is never a bad acquisition, period.

Sure, the Raiders again notoriously gave up more than any other team would have for a player like Palmer, but you have to hand it to them that they won't roll over and let the season die starting Kyle Boller after Jason Cambell's season ending injury.

The article, which concentrates on all the logical points, that Palmer hasn't been above average since 2008, the Bengals received two first round picks for a player that who will never again wear a Bengals uniform, the Raiders got a player in Palmer that is past his prime at 32.

But my comment on the blog post was simple:
"If the Raiders win a playoff game this year, and if Carson Palmer quarterbacks a playoff Raider team for the next couple years; and if the Bengals don't make the playoffs in those years, the Raiders won the trade."