As the Bengals continue to kick tires on possible quarterback prospects, it’s becoming more clear that Carson Palmer won’t be playing the position (or any other) for the team in 2011 or beyond.
Dennis Janson of WCPO-TV in Cincinnati reports that Palmer recently told a confidant, “I will never set foot in Paul Brown Stadium again.” (Of course, if Palmer plays for a team that plays at the Bengals, then he will.)
Palmer reportedly added: “I have $80 million in the bank. I don’t have to play football for money. I’ll play it for the love of the game but that would have to be elsewhere. I’m prepared to live my life.”
The fact that the dispute between player and team went public shows that Palmer is serious about leaving. The sooner the Bengals realize that and trade him for whatever they can get, the better off everyone will be.
That said, they can’t trade him until the next league year begins, and the next league year most likely won’t begin until the labor situation is resolved.
Meanwhile, the only other quarterbacks on the roster are Jordan Palmer and Dan LeFevour.