Cincinnati Bengals do not wish to trade Carson Palmer
The Cincinnati Bengals do not want to trade quarterback Carson Palmer; however, he is adamant to quit playing for one of the NFL’s worst franchises while he is still in top form.
Owner of the Bengals, Mike Brown said that Palmer had asked to be traded about a week ago. Brown told Palmer that the team would not trade him because he forms an integral part of the team’s plans.
"He was told that, and that we count on him going forward," Brown told a local newspaper. "He was told that we are not in a position to trade him."
Some sources had stated earlier that Palmer will think about retiring, if the team does not trade him. Close friends of Palmer say that he is financially secure enough to live the rest of his life without having to earn; therefore, is willing to retire.
Palmer has not spoken with the media since he made the request to be traded. His agent, David Dunn stated, "Because of the lack of success that Carson and the Bengals have experienced together, Carson strongly feels that a separation between him and the Bengals would be in the best interest of both parties."
Palmer was the first overall pick of the Bengals during the 2003 NFL Draft, which was headed by Coach Marvin Lewis. The quarterback led the team to the playoffs in 2009 and previously in 2005, the only two times that the franchise made it to the top in last 20 years. Lewis has decided to stay as Head Coach, even though Brown did not make the changes that Lewis has been requesting for years now. Currently, Brown, Lewis and the rest of the coaching staff are in Alabama, coaching Senior Bowl players.
During an episode of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens’ television show, they both said that Palmer was unhappy with the Bengals’ front office, including Lewis.
"If he's asking for a trade, he obviously wasn't comfortable with the rehiring of Marvin Lewis," said Owens, who is a free agent. "He's been very stealth and discreet with his message, but he's saying there's a problem without saying there's a problem."
"At this point, I think he's frustrated with management and the head coach, management not embracing him ... a bunch of stuff," said Ochocinco.
Palmer’s desire to be traded is a sign that he does not believe that the team is doing well. However, when Brown was questioned about Carson’s decision, he did not specify what was bothering Palmer.
"We'll just have to see how it plays out," Brown said. "We'll reach out to him and understand the things that are in his craw. Maybe there are things we can do that will appeal to him. We'll try to and see whether he can get it fit back together in the future."
This isn’t the first time that a player has requested a trade and Brown has refused to it. Ochocinco tried to be traded before the start of the 2008 season but Brown just wouldn’t let go.
Ochocinco tweeted on Monday, "No everything is not messed up in Cincy, we will be fine, Carson isn't going anywhere ... relax."
Palmer will still have a couple of options next season, if the team doesn’t let him go. But will an unhappy quarterback be good for the Bengals?
"The life of a pro quarterback is not always easy," Brown said. "When you're down the criticism will flare up. That's the nature of our business. We want him to re-up, be in good spirits and in time he'll come around. This was a deeply disappointing season for us, we have all suffered from it. I think we will rebound."
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