The speculation about Carson Palmer’s future in Cincinnati ended when Marvin Lewis returned to the team.
“I told him [Palmer] yesterday privately that it’s important to me that I will help him be the player that I know he is and I believe in him and he’s important to me,” Lewis said on Tuesday.
The Bengals have to think about drafting a quarterback to develop behind Palmer. Considering Palmer’s salary, it seems unlikely they would use their No. 4 overall pick to do so. We agree that the Bengals had bigger problems than Palmer this year and he could still win with the right pieces around him.
Those pieces will be changing in 2011. Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Cedric Benson won’t be returning if offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski is back. It’s unclear if the Bengals will make a change at offensive coordinator.
“There is a time for change and I think now is a pretty good time,” Benson said.
We suspect Benson is done no matter who is calling plays for the Bengals. We’ve already passed along word Chad Ochocinco is unlikely to be back. The same goes for Terrell Owens.
No wonder Lewis decided to return.