Carson Palmer didn't even play in 2004. Kitna was their quarterback and they went like 8-8 or something.

Carson Palmer never led any team to the AFC Championship. They won the AFC North in 2005 and proceeded to lose to the Steelers in the Wildcard round. It's worth mentioning that Palmer got hurt in that game (oh Carson Palmer has injury problems? I HADN'T NOTICED.) They haven't made the Playoffs since.

You can make the argument about potential, but Carson Palmer is not that great of a quarterback. His performance after that season has been dismal and riddled with injury.