Palmer Possibly Looking For New Team

[flamingrey]

How much guaranteed money in Carson's contract are the Raiders still on the hook for?

Very little since he took a pay cut in 2011 and restructured in 2012. From what I've read, he's gotten much of his guaranteed in signing bonuses. And because he's gotten it via signing bonuses, his salary cap hit is very high. So even if they do cut him, they save all of $6 million on the cap out of I believe $13 million.

The problem for the Raiders isn't what they're going to have to pay him if they cut him, but the fact that they get very little salary cap relief for cutting him. If they cut him, they're going to have to spend much of that relief money on a worse QB. It's a no-win situation for them. Add that to the fact that they don't have a starting caliber QB on the roster, and it explains why don't want to lose him.

I was reading one of their boards, and the guys (media) who have contacts within the organization are still adamant - as they were 2 weeks ago - that Carson will be a Raider next year. That's why they hired a coach that would implement the power block scheme for McFadden and a vertical offense for Carson. I also read that the only way he's not a Raider is if they can get a 2nd rounder in a trade for him. Take it FWIW.

 

[futballiscool]

Very little since he took a pay cut in 2011 and restructured in 2012. From what I've read, he's gotten much of his guaranteed in signing bonuses. And because he's gotten it via signing bonuses, his salary cap hit is very high. So even if they do cut him, they save all of $6 million on the cap out of I believe $13 million.

The problem for the Raiders isn't what they're going to have to pay him if they cut him, but the fact that they get very little salary cap relief for cutting him. If they cut him, they're going to have to spend much of that relief money on a worse QB. It's a no-win situation for them. Add that to the fact that they don't have a starting caliber QB on the roster, and it explains why don't want to lose him.

I was reading one of their boards, and the guys (media) who have contacts within the organization are still adamant - as they were 2 weeks ago - that Carson will be a Raider next year. That's why they hired a coach that would implement the power block scheme for McFadden and a vertical offense for Carson. I also read that the only way he's not a Raider is if they can get a 2nd rounder in a trade for him. Take it FWIW.

That might be their local media. LaCanforta and Rapport have both said that the Raiders aren't paying him his current salary. Those guys arent going on speculation like PFT report, they've almost assuredly heard that straight from the organization.

In the bowl game Bridgewater looked like the closest thing you'll see to an NFL sureshot outside of Andrew Luck. It's not a bad yr for them to experiment with Pryor. He might give them a Tebow-like spark. If they tank the season there's a great prospect on the board next yr.

I looked up Palmer's salary and the number is close to an 18 million dollar cap hit next season. Those numbers stunt the growth of a rebuilding team.

I think they trade him if there's any value there.

 

[flamingrey]

The Raiders had already released DHB, their "#1" receiver. Now they've lost their TE Myers to the Giants who was #1 in receptions on the team. They're left with 2 oft-injured #2-#3 receivers.

I doubt Carson ever agrees to a pay cut or restructure. Either they pay him for his whole salary, or he's playing for another team.

 

[Tubbs1518]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Carson Palmer is "highly unlikely" to restructure his contract, which means his two-year Raiders stint is all but over.


"Palmer's unwillingness to restructure means the Raiders would be left with the decision of whether to keep Palmer at his $13 million base salary, or release him outright. Our bet would be on the latter happening. Palmer simply isn't worth his scheduled pay at age 33, and Oakland could free up a small amount of cap space by releasing him. The Raiders have emerged as the favorites to draft West Virginia's Geno Smith next month. Once released, Palmer is expected to draw immediate interest from the Cardinals."

 

[Sox33OSU]

Pryor is going to rip the AFC West the fuck up.

 

[flamingrey]

Sources: Carson Palmer may prefer backup role on winning team over taking pay cut with Raiders

Good, but long read. To sum it up, the Raiders requested a $3 million pay cut from $13 million down to $10 million showing pretty clear intention they want to keep him. Carson would prefer to play elsewhere for less money, but for a chance to win since Oakland is clearly rebuilding.

 

[cincygrad]

Poor Carson. It's always the guys around him -- He's just really unlucky.

I sure hope he gets his ring - A competitor like him deserves all the best.

 

[flamingrey]

I'm finding it kind of difficult to disagree with him. But maybe it's just me. Oakland is in a clear rebuilding phase, and as far as the Bengals, it's well established they don't care about winning.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I was thinking he might go to Arizona.

 

[cincygrad]

I'm finding it kind of difficult to disagree with him. But maybe it's just me. Oakland is in a clear rebuilding phase, and as far as the Bengals, it's well established they don't care about winning.

He didn't have to agree to a trade to Oakland when he did, just as he didn't have to agree to a contract extension with the Bengals when he did.

I don't blame him for wanting out, but I also don't feel sorry for him like some of the people quoted in that article.

 

[flamingrey]

He didn't have to agree to a trade to Oakland when he did, just as he didn't have to agree to a contract extension with the Bengals when he did.

I don't blame him for wanting out, but I also don't feel sorry for him like some of the people quoted in that article.

I got the "I don't blame him" vibe from the article, not the "I feel sorry for him" vibe. Nonetheless, the people that were quoted are likely close acquaintenances, so if they do feel sorry, then whatever, so be it, he's their friend, not just another QB.

I don't see Carson doing anything wrong here. If he refuses to play for the Raiders, then I'll agree, but he's well within his right not to take a pay cut. If anything, people should be using that logic against the Raiders. "You shouldn't have traded for him, and you shouldn't have restructured his contract the way you did last season" (and that was the current regime).

 

[cincygrad]

I don't think the Raiders have any intention to keep him at that price. They're not on the hook until the season starts, so it doesn't do them any good to cut him now.... Keeping him on the roster gives them some leverage during the draft, either through a smoke-screen of who they might pick, or to potentially try to force Palmer into a paycut after all starting positions are accounted for. This might take a while to play out.

 

[flamingrey]

I don't think the Raiders have any intention to keep him at that price. They're not on the hook until the season starts, so it doesn't do them any good to cut him now.... Keeping him on the roster gives them some leverage during the draft, either through a smoke-screen of who they might pick, or to potentially try to force Palmer into a paycut after all starting positions are accounted for. This might take a while to play out.

I agree. It doesn't make sense for Oakland to release him until after they see the draft play out. Maybe they have their eyes on Smith, but are working under the assumption another team could jump ahead of them for him. But in any case, you are correct, worst case, Carson is on the roster as a smokescreen to prevent a team from trading ahead of them.

Outside of the team that drafts Smith or trades for Flynn, I think Carson will be a shoe-in as the starter for teams like Cleveland, Arizona, NY Jets, Jacksonville, and Buffalo. So I'm not sure I'd expect him to be worried about that. Not sure when it is, but passed a certain date, Oakland will be on the hook for the entire year's salary, and hence the entire cap hit (June 1 and July 1 are dates that are coming to mind as possibilities), so it's not like they can hold onto him through training camp or anything.

 

[cincygrad]

Get ready for another Carson Palmer drama | ProFootballTalk

Doesn't become fully guaranteed until week 1.... But, Oakland would have to absorb the risk of injury. I think the Steve McNair comparison here is relevant..... They might be too afraid to play chicken and eventually let him go.

 

[flamingrey]

I'm not sure I agree with that assessment.

When Carson wanted out of Cincinnati, he made it abundantly clear and said trade me or I'm never playing for you again. There is no doubt in my mind that Carson wants out of Oakland, but I don't believe it's one of those things where he's forcing his way out. He will play if they don't cut him.

More importantly, there is no malice between Carson and the Raiders' organization. Because Carson isn't refusing to show to up, he'll be at all the minicamps and training camp. When he's there, he'll be the starting QB. There is no game of chicken here because if there were, and it lasted through training camp, there would be 2 losers.

It's as simple as if the Raiders get the QB they're looking for in the draft, they will get rid of Carson at first opportunity. If they don't, Carson is the starting QB Week 1. If there's a situation where they refuse to pay him $13 million, then they'll have a plan B with Flynn or VY. And, once that plan B is enacted (probably right around draft time), they will release Carson.

Imo, this drama seems to be something the media is trying to create, and one that will be over within a couple months time.

I believe at some point in the next 2 months both Carson and the Raiders will amicably part ways.

 

[cincygrad]

With the Raiders organization, anything is possible. Regardless, the point remains that they don't have to do anything for a while if they don't want. They'd be wise to hold onto Palmer until they convince themselves that they have a better option (or at least commit to moving on) to play QB.

 

[futballiscool]

With the Raiders organization, anything is possible. Regardless, the point remains that they don't have to do anything for a while if they don't want. They'd be wise to hold onto Palmer until they convince themselves that they have a better option (or at least commit to moving on) to play QB.

Palmer played this one pretty well.

 

[DanBengalfan]

drama sells cereal and shoes.

He's going to Arizona (or maybe Jacksonville)

he won't touch Cleveland or the Jets... he's not stupid. Don't think he really wants to go to Buffalo, but they aren't nearly as retarded as the Jets, so perhaps.

 

[flamingrey]

I don't think Cleveland is that bad of a spot to land right now. They have some talent and just picked up Norv as their OC.

 

[flamingrey]

According to Jason LaCanfora:

"Sounds like Matt Flynn heading to Oakland via trade, and Carson Palmer will be on his way out (possibly to AZ). trying to nail down details"

Separate rumor:

Report: Trade for Flynn appears “imminent”

Jags, Raiders, and Bills were thought to be interested. Jags took themselves out last week. "Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network says relatively definitively that it’s not the Bills." That also only leaves the Raiders.