Carson Palmer
Palmer with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | December 27, 1979 Fresno, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California) | ||||||||||||||
| College | USC (1998–2002) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2003: 1st round, 1st overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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Carson Hilton Palmer (born December 27, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. Palmer played college football for the USC Trojans, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2002. He was selected first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2003 NFL draft.
Palmer had a breakout season in 2005 when he led the league in passing touchdowns and completion percentage while bringing the Bengals to their first winning season and playoff appearance in 15 years. He also earned Pro Bowl honors. Palmer received a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection the following year, but was mostly unable to continue his success and made only one more playoff appearance with Cincinnati. Amid conflicts with Bengals ownership, he was traded after eight seasons to the Oakland Raiders, where he continued to struggle during his two seasons with the team.
Traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2013, Palmer revitalized his career. He had his most successful season in 2015 when he led the Cardinals to a division title and an NFC Championship Game appearance. Palmer was also named to his third Pro Bowl and received second-team All-Pro honors. He retired following the 2017 regular season after spending much of the year on injured reserve. Palmer was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.