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When Carson Palmer reportedly threatened to retire rather than play for the Bengals next year, it was a little hard to take it seriously. Palmer would be leaving a lot of money on the table to walk away from the remaining years on his contract.
But the Bengals, and Marvin Lewis, are apparently taking it seriously. They're looking at the top quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft, and Lewis says the club is proceeding as if Palmer won't report to the team once offseason activities begin.
Palmer has four years remaining on his contract, and the last time the Bengals had a player who said he'd sit out if he wasn't traded -- somebody named Chad Johnson -- the Bengals held the line. Cincinnati Enquirer beat writer Joe Reedy recently said he thinks it's more likely Palmer will sit out the season than be traded by the Bengals, an organization known for its stubbornness.
What will be interesting is if the Bengals actually do use their top pick (No. 4 overall) on someone like Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert. That wouldn't necessarily mean Palmer would be traded, but it would make it clear they'd be willing to move on without him.
For what it's worth, early speculation has the Bengals matched up with one of the draft's top wideouts, like A.J. Green, rather than a top quarterback.
--Andy Richardson
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