Carson Palmer Won't Play for Bengals and Has $80 Million in the Bank

Carson Palmer says he would rather retire than return to the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I have $80 million in the bank,” the Cincinnati television station cited Palmer as saying in a report on its website. “I don’t have to play football for money. I’ll play it for the love of the game but that would have to be elsewhere.”

The Bengals may seek to trade Palmer rather than let him retire, a report said.

The 31-year-old Palmer has been a Bengal since being chosen by Cincinnati with the first overall pick in the 2003 National Football League draft.

Palmer is frustrated with the direction of the team and owner Mike Brown.  The Bengals went 4-12 last season.