Source: Palmer won't take pay cut in Cincy

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

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Palmer won't take pay cut in Cincy
By James Walker[/size][/font]
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[font="verdana][size="2"] With so much speculation swirling around the future of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, details are starting to emerge with three games remaining in a disappointing season.

[font="Verdana][size="2"]Carson Palmer's salary jumps up to $11.5 million next season.[/font][/size][/size][/font]
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[font="verdana][size="2"][font="Verdana][size="2"] [/font]A source with knowledge of the situation tells ESPN.com's AFC North blog that it's highly unlikely Palmer would accept a pay cut this offseason to remain with the rebuilding Bengals (2-11). Palmer is projected to be one of the NFL's highest-paid players in 2011 with a base salary of $11.5 million, and this could be the first step to a potential parting between the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the team which drafted him No. 1 overall in 2003.

Cincinnati has yet to discuss its offseason plans with Palmer. But with the pay-cut option now squashed, this puts the Bengals in a tight spot. Cincinnati -- one of the NFL's most frugal franchises -- has to decide whether to overpay for a struggling quarterback or release Palmer, who will turn 31 on Dec. 27, and make him a free agent for the first time in his career.

With no salary cap in place, the Bengals can cut Palmer without absorbing any charges. Entering Week 15,Cincinnati also holds the No. 2 overall pick, which is a good spot to draft a quarterback.

An offseason trade might be a third option. But it could be a challenge for Cincinnati to convince other teams to pay Palmer's ballooning $11.5 million salary despite declining production. Palmer has six multi-interception games this season and 18 picks total, which is the second highest tally of his career. He also holds a pedestrian 78.1 passer rating.

Palmer provided a clue to potentially moving on earlier this week when reporters in Cincinnati asked if Palmer could see himself in another uniform next year.

"Yeah, anything is possible," Palmer said candidly. "This is a business."

The Bengals will have plenty of tough business decisions to make this offseason -- and it starts with their franchise quarterback.[/size][/size][/font]

 

[DJT]

I still think they need to go a different route. Bye bye Palmer, wish you the best. (hopefully he can restore some of his glory.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

This seems like the beginning of the end for the Palmer era. It sounds strange, but I will surely miss him.

 

[Mooche]

I still think they need to go a different route. Bye bye Palmer, wish you the best. (hopefully he can restore some of his glory.

I feel the same way. Especially if he doesn't want to take a pay cut, after this horrendous season. A lot of the blame is attributed to him, I mean, he did have a few damn good targets and his play was awful.

 

[DJT]

Yeah, its just sad that a lil while ago he was doing amazing and the team was doing amazing, then he hurts his knee. Too bad.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Will be interesting to see what Mike Browns decides to do, he's generally a bit too loyal to his players and coaches, so he just may keep Carson, he's always backed Carson 100%. But, he's not playing well enough and Mike could get out of his huge remaining contract, so he might want to do that to save some money and possibly invest it in another QB within the draft or free agency. It's hard saying what is going to happen, I really have no idea. Is all I know, Marvin Lewis wants out, and it's starting to sound like Carson Palmer wants out.

 

[footballplaya52]

he fell off the wagon harder then delhomme.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

he fell off the wagon harder then delhomme.

Hopefully he'll be back, playing well next year. I don't know, have my doubts. I think he's injured.

 

[footballplaya52]

i would take a paycut if the team was winning......not free falling.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I don't blame Carson at all for not wanting to take a pay cut, except he's already making enough money and not playing up to par to be making as much as he is. But whatever, he probably won't be going anywhere. We need to get better coaching and some offensive lineman to help him out.