Now that the Bengals have punched WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh‘s ticket out of town, speculation can begin on where he will land.

It likely will be with one of six wide receiver-needy teams: the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins or Philadelphia Eagles.

(Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

All of those teams are looking to upgrade at wide receiver. And all of them could be active in the free-agent market. Each of those teams would appeal to Houshmandzadeh, who is not expected to return to Cincinnati.

Seattle was desperate for receivers all season. San Francisco could pair Houshmandzadeh with Isaac Bruce. Tennessee is another receiver-deficient team. Baltimore could sign a former division rival. Miami could pair him with Ted Ginn. And Philadelphia could sign him as the reliable veteran target Donovan McNabb has rarely had.

The only way the Bengals could have assured themselves of retaining Houshmandzadeh would have been to designate him as their franchise player. But they opted instead for K Shayne Graham.

Now Houshmandzadeh will be allowed to leave, and he is expected to graciously accept the Bengals’ overture.

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