Carson Palmer talks fondly of Raiders, hopes Derek Carr turns into franchise QB

Carson Palmer’s time in Oakland ended on a sour note for everyone involved as the veteran quarterback who Hue Jackson bet their short term future on by risking first round draft picks on a “retired” passer climaxed when both Palmer as well as the head coach in Jackson were shipped out of town in the Raiders rebuilding process. Palmer landed on his feet after being exiled from Oakland’s rebuilding process, guiding the Arizona Cardinals to a 10-6 record in 2013 in a season where Palmer and his new team were unlucky to miss out on the playoffs.

Returning to the Oakland Coliseum for the first time since leaving the Raiders, Palmer told beat writer Vic Tafur that there are no hard feelings between the veteran and his former employer. In fact, Palmer is excited to go back to a place that he spoke fondly of as one of the best places to play football in the Coliseum. Adding that the Raider Nation makes playing in Oakland memorable. Something that might factor into the fact that Palmer appears to have no hard feelings about what he describes as an abrupt end with the Raiders.

After the Raiders two initial replacements for Palmer in Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor crashed and burned in Oakland, second round draft pick Derek Carr appears to be the quarterback that Reggie McKenzie and owner Mark Davis had in mind for the direction of the franchise when they severed ties with Palmer along with his hefty salary at the time. Palmer himself is happy that the Raider Nation now has a promising young quarterback to build around in their second round pick.

Palmer’s reception could still be icy on Sunday as Raiders fans are at times unkind to returning players, but the former starting quarterback in Oakland is coming off genuine in a no hard feelings approach with his former franchise. Time heals all wounds and both parties are likely content with how things played out now a couple years past the divorce between quarterback and team. On Sunday we will see if the Black Hole has also moved on or if they will treat Palmer with a chorus of boos. Based on the former quarterback’s own comments leading up to the game it looks like fans may want to take it easier on Palmer.