Carson Palmer is technically the starting quarterback of the Oakland Raiders. Palmer played all of last season as the starter, but now reports are surfacing that between Palmer's contract and the emergence of Terrelle Pryor, Palmer might not be back in Oakland next season. The starting quarterback has not heard anything from the team regarding the status of his contract, but is hopeful to return to the Raiders.
"Not sure what's going to happen. Would love to be back in Oakland and compete," Palmer said.
Last month, reports surfaced that the Raiders were hoping to restructure Palmer's contract to better fit with the salary cap space. Palmer will be a $15.3 million cap hit in 2013, the seventh-highest cap hit for a quarterback in the NFL. His number would jump to $17.3 million in 2014. With a quarterback like Michael Vick having taken a steep pay cut to remain with a team, Palmer could be forced to do the same thing. Negotiations with the quarterback could take time and with free agency just around to corner, the Raiders must let him know one way or the other. The team is currently about $2 million under the cap.
Palmer has spent the last two seasons in Oakland, producing mixed results. In 2011, he played in 10 games, throwing for 2,753 yards, 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He looked better in 2012, throwing for 4,018 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, despite leading the team to a 4-11 season. He was sacked 26 times, but the total yardage was the third-best in his nine-year career.
The Raiders are rumored to be looking towards back-up Terrelle Pryor as the potential new starting quarterback. Pryor offers the skills of a more mobile quarterback which is becoming the trend for an NFL offense. The Raiders think they could have a player similar to Cam Newon on their hands. The delay from the Raiders on Palmer's contract could be due to them preparing to move forward with Pryor as the head of the offense.
