Anthony Wright signed a 1 year deal.
The Bengals have their Plan B to Carson Palmer.
Former Baltimore quarterback Anthony Wright agreed to a one-year contract with the Bengals Wednesday night, giving the team the veteran backup it has been seeking for its $118 million man.
Joel Segal, Wright's agent, confirmed that the deal has been agreed upon but no financial terms were made available. The deal is likely to be worth more than $1 million and incentive-laden to give Wright, 30, the opportunity for a higher salary should Palmer and his surgically repaired left knee not be ready to start the regular season on Sept. 10 at Kansas City and Wright gets the nod.
The Bengals do not talk about free agents until their deals are signed.
Cincinnati also showed interest in former St. Louis Ram Jamie Martin and Detroit's Joey Harrington this off-season before deciding on Wright. Harrington, who is still under contract with the Lions but was given permission by the team to seek a trade, has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with Miami and only awaits the Dolphins and Lions agreeing on compensation. Martin remains an unrestricted free agent.
Palmer suffered two torn knee ligaments on Cincinnati's second offensive play in January's playoff loss against Pittsburgh. Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen hit Palmer in the knee just after he released the ball for a 66-yard completion to wide receiver Chris Henry.
Palmer's rehab is progressing on target, according to the quarterback and the team, but there will be no specific timetable for his return until he can get out onto the practice field and begin moving around.
The typical recovery time for such injuries is eight to 12 months.
The Bengals also have Craig Krenzel and Doug Johnson on the roster, both of whom have starting experience, but Wright should step immediately into the No. 2 role. Wright's acquisition lessens the need for the Bengals to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft (April 29-30) but it does not preclude them from doing so.
Wright entered the league in 1999 as an undrafted free agent signed by Pittsburgh and he earned a roster spot as the Steelers' fourth quarterback. Pittsburgh released him the following preseason but he landed in Dallas and played two seasons there before joining the Ravens in 2003.
Wright replaced an injured Kyle Boller midway through that season and led the Ravens to a 5-2 mark, which was good enough to allow them to finish 10-6 overall and in first place in the AFC North. He also started in Baltimore's playoff loss against Tennessee that season. One of his wins was a 31-13 victory over the Bengals when the two teams were tied for the division lead.
He started seven times last season, including the Bengals' 21-9 win at Baltimore in November. Wright completed 19 of 30 passes for 153 yards and gained another 36 yards on three runs in that game.
Overall, Wright has started 19 out of the 24 games he has played in during his career. He has completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 3,547 yards, 20 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He has also gained 234 yards rushing in his career.
The Bengals have their Plan B to Carson Palmer.
Former Baltimore quarterback Anthony Wright agreed to a one-year contract with the Bengals Wednesday night, giving the team the veteran backup it has been seeking for its $118 million man.
Joel Segal, Wright's agent, confirmed that the deal has been agreed upon but no financial terms were made available. The deal is likely to be worth more than $1 million and incentive-laden to give Wright, 30, the opportunity for a higher salary should Palmer and his surgically repaired left knee not be ready to start the regular season on Sept. 10 at Kansas City and Wright gets the nod.
The Bengals do not talk about free agents until their deals are signed.
Cincinnati also showed interest in former St. Louis Ram Jamie Martin and Detroit's Joey Harrington this off-season before deciding on Wright. Harrington, who is still under contract with the Lions but was given permission by the team to seek a trade, has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with Miami and only awaits the Dolphins and Lions agreeing on compensation. Martin remains an unrestricted free agent.
Palmer suffered two torn knee ligaments on Cincinnati's second offensive play in January's playoff loss against Pittsburgh. Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen hit Palmer in the knee just after he released the ball for a 66-yard completion to wide receiver Chris Henry.
Palmer's rehab is progressing on target, according to the quarterback and the team, but there will be no specific timetable for his return until he can get out onto the practice field and begin moving around.
The typical recovery time for such injuries is eight to 12 months.
The Bengals also have Craig Krenzel and Doug Johnson on the roster, both of whom have starting experience, but Wright should step immediately into the No. 2 role. Wright's acquisition lessens the need for the Bengals to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft (April 29-30) but it does not preclude them from doing so.
Wright entered the league in 1999 as an undrafted free agent signed by Pittsburgh and he earned a roster spot as the Steelers' fourth quarterback. Pittsburgh released him the following preseason but he landed in Dallas and played two seasons there before joining the Ravens in 2003.
Wright replaced an injured Kyle Boller midway through that season and led the Ravens to a 5-2 mark, which was good enough to allow them to finish 10-6 overall and in first place in the AFC North. He also started in Baltimore's playoff loss against Tennessee that season. One of his wins was a 31-13 victory over the Bengals when the two teams were tied for the division lead.
He started seven times last season, including the Bengals' 21-9 win at Baltimore in November. Wright completed 19 of 30 passes for 153 yards and gained another 36 yards on three runs in that game.
Overall, Wright has started 19 out of the 24 games he has played in during his career. He has completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 3,547 yards, 20 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He has also gained 234 yards rushing in his career.
