That’s the narrative some fans share: Palmer let down his team, his adoptive city, and its fans when he threatened to retire if he weren’t traded, a wish he was granted last week when Bengals owner Mike Brown unloaded him for a substantial treasure at the expense of the Raiders.
This is easier to espouse because Palmer’s replacement — Andy Dalton — has lit up the subpar defenses he’s played against so far. Instead of lamenting the loss of a former top pick and Heisman Trophy winner, it’s easier to kick him out the door when his replacement has fared well.
Given the lopsided nature of NFL contracts, Palmer hardly had any choice. Volumes have been written about the stubborn nature of Bengals management, and Palmer had paid the price. He paid it with a destroyed knee — one he received after leading the Bengals to their first playoff appearance in a decade-plus.
After that, the Bengals let their wide receivers become reality show hosts, and their offensive line fall apart. The team couldn’t keep Palmer from getting a broken nose in a preseason game and couldn’t keep his elbow from being mangled, which has cost him his once-superb arm.
Palmer earned his way out of town, the hard way. With the Raiders on the Bengals schedule next year, let’s hope fans remember the price he paid to give them a winner for a couple too-short years and greet him with warmth.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2250 or bjbethel @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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