The Oakland Raiders were one of the worst offensive teams in football last season and after dealing with a tough financial situation, the front office hoped to restructure some of Carson Palmer's deal to get some cap relief, but so far it has not worked out.
According to ESPN.com, head coach Dennis Allen on Tuesday said that Palmer's situation was still the same and did not give any timetable on when the issues would be resolved. The team traded for Palmer from the Cincinnati Bengals and he is set to make $13 million for the 2013 season, something the Raiders would like to change.
Allen said to ESPN.com about Palmer: "Nothing has changed with our (quarterback) situation."
Palmer has played hard ball in the past, including with the Bengals, who he asked to trade him or he would retire. Palmer sat out and eventually got his wish when the team dealt him to the Raiders. The team wants him to lower his number so they can make more moves, but if he doesn't, there is a chance they could trade him or even release him.
The Raiders feel comfortable with Terrelle Pryor as the quarterback if Palmer doesn't work out and the team is also in an excellent position to draft someone like Geno Smith, as they have the third pick in the draft.
"No. 1, I'm not going to comment on anything regarding a contract," Allen said. "Yeah, Carson enters the offseason as our starting quarterback, but we've been on the record as saying we want to have competition at every position."
Allen's comments make it sound like Palmer will be around, but with the number of quarterbacks fluctuating teams, anything is possible. Kevin Kolb is still a free agent after being cut by the Cardinals, but the rest of the quarterbacks that the Raiders might want to being in have signed, including Ryan Fitzpatrick with the Titans and Matt Hasselbeck with the Colts.
Last season Palmer put up solid numbers, but the team struggled to a 4-12 record. Palmer threw for 4,018 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he also had 14 interceptions. The team also will be without a few weapons, as Darrius Heyward-Bey was cut and free agent Brandon Myers signed with the New York Giants.
Palmer and Myers had a good connection last season, as the tight end led the team with 79 catches for 806 yards and four touchdowns. Palmer completed over 70 percent of his passes to the tight end and the Raiders have been looking into possibly signing Kellen Winslow to make up for the loss.
The team could trade him somewhere for draft picks and cap relief, including the Cardinals, Browns, Bills and Jets, who all are looking for a quarterback of some sort. The Bills cut Fitzpatrick while the Cardinals cut Kolb and the Jets are just a mess and may want to bring in someone who can actually play over Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.
The Raiders haven't been splashy in free agency, but they have made a number of solid moves under Reggie McKenzie, cutting Michael Huff, signing Kevin Burnett and bringing in linebacker Nick Roach. The team lost two solid players in Desmond Bryant and Phillip Wheeler and could look to sign some more players for depth.
Palmer is a solid quarterback, but he is getting up there in age and the Raiders may want to start fresh sooner rather than later with Pryor, Smith or someone else they can acquire. Tim Tebow could be a surprise signing if he is released by the Jets.
