Carson Palmer Would Rather Be With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dec 22, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) on the sidelines in the second half. The Panthers defeated the Raiders 17-6 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently the Arizona Cardinals see Carson Palmer as there answer at quarterback for at least the 2013 season. The Cardinals even value Palmer at $8 million a season, and having missed out on trading for Alex Smith or Matt Flynn, their only other viable option seems to be drafting a quarterback.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter says that Palmer might actually prefer the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the Cardinals.

“Those who know soon-to-be former Raiders QB Carson Palmer believe he was hoping to wind in Tampa Bay with Bucs. Doesn’t look that way now,” Schefter tweeted.

They likely wouldn’t want someone who is commanding $8 million dollars, inexplicably, as a back up quarterback. Tampa’s interest in Palmer, reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, would signal their lack of faith in Josh Freeman.

But despite the fact that he needs to be traded, he might play some control in where he goes. If he refuses to slash some of his lofty $13 million base salary he will inevitably be cut, and will probably get a considerably smaller deal on the open market. Reports say the Cardinals value him at $8 million a season.

So in reality, if he wants to go to Tampa Bay he has to find a way to keep Arizona away as a trade partner by refusing to lower his salary by almost $5 million, and somehow still appeal to Tampa. But either way, he’s headed to a tough division.