49ers' fans looking for any glimmer of hope that the Alex Smith era will not continue in San Francisco may have to wait a long time to celebrate.
With owners walking away from the negotiating table with the players over a collective bargaining agreement, the NFL seems destined for a lock out, which means the 49ers will not be able to sign or trade for a veteran quarterback until a new CBA is struck.
But the possibility of free agency and trades being on hold won't put an end to the speculation that the 49ers will look to land a veteran quarterback, such as Kevin Kolb or Carson Palmer.
Veteran 49ers' writer Matt Maiocco wrote Thursday that his inbox is flooded with questions about the 49ers landing either Palmer or Kolb.
While there are no signs that Kolb, who is due $1.4 million next season, is going anywhere, there are some signs that Palmer might be moving -- literally.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who has been linked to the 49ers by several NFL pundits is selling his Cincinnati home.
While the Bengals say they have no interest in trading the team's franchise quarterback, Palmer has threatened through his agent to retire if he is not traded.
He has been linked to the 49ers because Palmer is a California boy and his wife is from the Bay Area.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Palmer is selling his five-bedroom house in Cincinnati but Palmer is not saying where he is moving to.
The Bengals have been trying to convince Palmer to change his mind. The team fired offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and hired Jay Gruden.
But even Gruden isn't sure where Palmer might play.
“I have not talked to him yet, no," Gruden said when asked about Palmer at his introductory press conference. "We’ll leave that to Coach (Marvin) Lewis and Mr. Brown and let them handle it, and when the time is right hopefully I’ll get a chance to talk to him.”
Gruden said he will move forward under the assumption that Palmer will be his quarterback
