Carson Palmer Traded to Raiders

(NewsCore) - The Cincinnati Bengals traded quarterback Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2012 draft and a second-round pick in 2013.

The teams announced the move shortly after the NFL trade deadline passed at 4:00pm ET.

On being introduced to the media as a Raider on Tuesday night, Palmer said he was getting ready for the transition into retirement when Oakland coach Hue Jackson contacted him.

Palmer, 31, demanded a trade out of Cincinnati after the team went 4-12 last season, but Bengals owner Mike Brown refused to move him. The former Pro Bowler had maintained he would rather retire than play another game for the Bengals.

"For the past six weeks I thought I was retired," Palmer said. "Week one hit and I thought, 'I've got to look elsewhere and find what the next phase of my life might be.' Then I got the text from Hue."

He added, "I'm ready to go. I'm excited ... I'm excited to be a part of this organization."

The 2013 draft pick could become a first-rounder depending on whether the Raiders go to the AFC Championship game.

Jackson described the deal as "the greatest trade in football."

"As far as the draft picks, what we have to give up, I never hesitated because I know exactly what I'm getting," the former Bengals assistant said.

Brown pointed to the stellar play of rookie Andy Dalton, who has guided the Bengals to a 4-2 start, along with the valuable pair of draft picks in explaining his decision to part with Palmer.

"Several factors made us believe that trading Carson to Oakland was the best move for the Bengals at this time. The principal development has been Andy Dalton, who has shown himself to be one of the best and most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL," Brown said in a statement, reported by the NFL Network.

"We also find ourselves rather suddenly in position of being able to receive real value for Carson that can measurably improve our team. When this opportunity arose, we felt we could not let it pass and needed to take a step forward," Brown added.

The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner, who was drafted first overall by Cincinnati in 2003, threw for 3,970 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, but also racked up an AFC-worst 20 interceptions.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell suffered a broken clavicle in Sunday's 24-17 win over Cleveland, as Oakland improved its record to 4-2. The 29-year-old said Monday he would undergo surgery with the hope of returning in six weeks.

Campbell was replaced by veteran Kyle Boller, who completed eight of 14 passes for 100 yards.

The Raiders announced Palmer will wear No. 3 with the team, though it is unclear what his role will be for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I'm not gonna let that out of the bag just yet," Jackson said. "You've got to be ready for anything. We'll see later in the week."