Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer usually seemed level-headed, never given to histrionics, never stabbing people in the back in interviews.

Say what you will about Palmer’s performance as a player, but he always seemed — from afar — to be the emotional eye of the hurricane in a dysfunctional locker room.

Still waters run deep, after all. All the more reason to listen to Palmer when he seems finally to have had enough.

A Cincinnati TV reporter says Palmer told a “confidant” he will never set foot in Paul Brown Stadium again. He would rather retire than play for Bengals owner Mike Brown.

Publicly, Palmer has always been respectful to the Brown family. He has expressed gratitude for those who have helped him build up his nice nest egg. But he doesn’t want to play for them any longer.

So when the quiet guy loses his cool, will Mike Brown listen?

It’s one thing to alienate a fan base over two decades. It’s one thing for Mike Brown to demonstrate year after year how he will never be the football mind his father was, how he desperately needs help and perspective.

It’s quite another thing to alienate your franchise quarterback.

When news of Palmer’s angst broke a couple of months ago, Brown said he would find out what was “stuck” in Palmer’s “craw.”

Really, that’s all you need to know about Brown. The fact that he didn’t understand why his quarterback was upset said it all.

If he doesn’t get it now, he never will.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.