Cincinnati Bengals: Why the Team Should Not Give in To Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer, the face of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise since 2003, has demanded a trade. He has gone as far as saying that he will threaten to retire if he does not get his way. 

Team owner and general manager Mike Brown has heard these types of trade demands from many players in the past. Yet he is not known as someone who gives in to his players in any way.

He will take the same stance with Palmer and if he doesn't want to play for the Bengals, then he has one option.

Quit.

Retire.

Go away.

Corey Dillon asked for a trade for many years in the Bengals' backfield. While Brown finally did deal him to the New England Patriots, it was five years after he first voiced his unhappiness. 

Dillon even signed an extension during that time in Cincinnati

Chad Ochocinco has wanted out of Cincinnati since 2008. Yet while the name on the back of his jersey may change every so often, the front of the jersey has remained the same.

Palmer was drafted by the Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick back in 2003. He sat behind Jon Kitna and watched and learned during that season, but started 13 games the following season. He started every game from 2005-2007, and did so once again in each of the past two seasons.

While Palmer may not be the same quarterback he was in his great seasons in 2005 and 2006 that saw him reach elite status, he can still help a team.

I understand why he wants to leave the team. Anyone who had to put up with both Ochocinco and Terrell Owens should receive a break. Those two divas want every ball thrown their way, and their egos have ruined their friendship after just one season together in Cincinnati. Palmer has had to deal with a lot with this team. In a way, I can empathize with him.

But that is not to say that I feel bad for him. He has already made a fortune, and is owed around $53 million left on his contract over the next four seasons. If he wants to, then I say let him threaten to leave that money on the table.

Sure, he is still a valuable quarterback in this league. But he is not as good as he may think.

He has thrown 20 interceptions in two of the last four seasons. The team's offense has finished 20th or worse in each of the past two seasons. His passer rating has not been as good, and injuries have caught up with him.

Palmer is good, but not as good as his contract.

He has had some great weapons around him, yet he has never led this team to the AFC Championship. If the talent is there, then why has this team failed to live up to expectations?

Palmer is at least partially to blame.

The Bengals have been in this situation before. Not just as far as the trade demands go, but that the team has considered drafting a quarterback when their incumbent starter is entering their ninth season in the league.

The team drafted Jack Thompson and David Klingler to replace Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason. Those experiments did not go all that well.

Nobody knows for sure what will happen in this latest saga in Cincinnati. The team could call his bluff and let him retire. Palmer says that he saved over $80 million and certainly does not need to play any longer. He would play for another team for the love of the game, but no amount of money will cause him to take another snap for the Bengals.

They could consider trading him, but hold him hostage unless they receive a package that would have to blow them away to pull the trigger. More than a handful of teams would be interested, with the Seattle Seahawks being the most logical choice. Pete Carroll was Palmer's head coach at USC in his college days.

The Arizona Cardinals are also in dire need of an upgrade at quarterback, because they may not be able to re-sign Larry Fitzgerald without giving him a better option to catch passes from next season.

But other teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and countless others could use a franchise quarterback, even if it is one who is past his prime.

This is the latest epidemic in sports. Players hold out for a new contract or a new team, and many eventually hold their owners and teams hostage and wind up getting their way.

Palmer may never play again for the Bengals. If they don't receive an offer that they deem fit, he may never play for any team. It is all up in the air.

One thing is for sure. Brown will not simply give Palmer away. He will retain his rights and let him walk away from the game before he makes a deal that he does not favor.

Although, as Bengals fans may tell you, that may not be a good thing.