Quarterback Carson Palmer is willing to forgo the four years and $50 million left on his contract so long as he never plays another snap for the Bengals.
But Bengals owner Mike Brown isn’t buying it.
Citing people close to the Bengals’ organization, CBS Sports’ Clark Judge reports that Brown is “not convinced Palmer is leaving,” and “remains hopeful Palmer will change his mind.”
If Brown truly thinks Palmer might still be the Bengals’ 2011 starter, he’s probably alone in that belief.
On a recent ESPN segment, Chris Mortensen and Trent Dilfer strongly expressed their expectation that Palmer is done as a Bengal:
“I don’t think (Palmer) will play for any team other than on the West Coast,” said Mort. Added Dilfer, “You got it. ... I’ve talked to (Carson). He won’t wear a Cincinnati Bengal uniform again.”
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis knows Palmer’s Cincinnati’s days are over, and isn’t trying to change his mind.
PFT’s Mike Florio says the Bengals must draft a first-round quarterback because Palmer isn’t reconsidering.
Palmer’s house in Cincinnati is up for sale.
And Palmer’s friends and family tell the Cincinnati Enquirer that Palmer will “retire after eight seasons” if he isn’t traded out of Cincinnati.