The Cincinnati Bengals finally announced that Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has been placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list Friday. Since Palmer hasn't filed retirement papers (at least we believe because then there's no reason to put him on this list), the move frees up the roster spot used for Palmer and it also allows the team to save the $11.5 million due to him in salary.
During the week leading into the Conference Championship games last year, Palmer reportedly told the team that he wanted a trade. Reports also surfaced that no threat of a retirement was made at the time until ESPN's NFL Insider Chris Mortensen declared publicly that Palmer would be willing to use the "retirement card" during the Sunday the Championship games would be played.
Palmer himself has never responded to those reports, confirming or denying, instead using intermediaries like his agent or friends about his desire to leave, threatening to retire if his demand isn't capitulated.