For Carson Palmer, the wait is finally over. After a disappointing 2010 season, where the Cincinnati Bengals went 4-12, Palmer publicly requested to be traded. Palmer cited the lack of success he and the team had together, but others suggested his strained relationship with owner Mike Brown played into Palmer’s decision. Brown, known as something of a obstinate owner, surprisingly refused Palmer’s request.
This was surprising because not many owners would want to hold a player with potentially high trade value to a contract if they made it clear they were unhappy with the team. Palmer went a step further than conveying his unhappiness, he stated he’d rather retire than ever wear a Bengals uniform again. Brown and Palmer were at an impasse until this week, when Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell went down with a broken collarbone.
The Raiders are off to a 4-2 start this year, and the quiet but effective play of Campbell is believed to be an important part of that record. Campbell had surgery on Monday and is expected to be out 6 weeks. Without Palmer, the reigns would have been passed to historically ineffectual quarterback Kyle Boller or rookie Terrelle Pryor. The Raiders haven’t had a winning season since making it to the Super Bowl in 2002 (and losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Raiders coach Hue Jackson did not want to let the opportunity provided by this good start slip away.
Jackson was willing to give enough that Mike Brown finally relented and accepted a first-round pick in 2012 along with a conditional pick in 2013 for the disgruntled Palmer. The Raiders also will assume the cost of Palmer’s contract for 2011-2012, which allows Cincinnati to free up some room under their salary cap. The trade leaves the Raiders with no picks through the first four rounds of the 2012 draft, adding more credence to Jackson’s assertion they are dedicated to winning now.
Palmer’s career has been moderately successful in Cincinnati, although it is generally believed that his full potential hasn’t been achieved. After getting the starting job in 2004, Palmer led Cincinnati to their first winning season in 15 years in 2005. Palmer threw 32 touchdown passes and finished with a quarterback rating over 100. In the playoffs, however, Palmer tore his anterior cruciate ligament, knocking him out of the game (which they would eventually lose). He returned for the 2006 season, when he had another good year even though the Bengals only finished at .500. The years 2007-2010 would be much more mediocre for Palmer and, although the 2009 Bengals rivaled the 2004 team in terms of success, Palmer would not reach those 2004 numbers himself.
Palmer is hoping this trade will put him back into a situation where he can excel as he did early in his career. Oakland has a strong running game and quick wide receivers, so the offensive pieces are in place. If Palmer is rusty after sitting out the first 6 games of the season is yet to be seen. Regardless, this move gives the Raiders their best chance to win this year with Campbell out. And, with Mike Brown satisfied, it would seem everyone came out ahead on this deal.
