Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer announced his retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL. Adam Schefter reported the news on Twitter.
Carson Palmer retired.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2018
Palmer released a statement today discussing his retirement.
Carson Palmer’s retirement letter: pic.twitter.com/mOuQG5OJUV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2018
“Over the years, I’ve had teammates who decided to hang it up and I would ask them how they knew when it was time to walk away,” Palmer wrote. “The answer was almost always the same: You just know. For me, that time is now. Why? Quite simply, I just know.”
The Cincinnati Bengals used the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft to get Palmer. Palmer was coming off an amazing year with the USC Trojans were he won the Heisman Trophy. The Trojan football program has since retired his number 3 jersey.
After leaving Cincinnati, Palmer would spend a few years with the Oakland Raiders before settling down with the Cardinals. Palmer’s season ended in their week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams after breaking his arm. Backups Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton would finish out the season.
Palmer went 38-21-1 during five years in Arizona. 2015 was his best year with the Cardinals. Palmer led the Cardinals to a 13-3 record and a spot in the NFC Championship Game. It was the best season the Cardinals have had since Kurt Warner led the team to the Super Bowl.
Palmer finished his career with 46,247 yards, 294 touchdowns, and 187 interceptions. He was always a fun quarterback to watch and he earned his 3 Pro Bowl appearances. Palmer will go down as 11th in career completions, 12th in passing yards, 12th touchdown passes and 14th in attempts.
