Raiders coach Dennis Allen promises quarterback competition next season

Raiders coach Dennis Allen set up a potential showdown between Terrelle Pryor and Carson Palmer for the starting quarterback job. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)

Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen pledged that the team would have competition heading into next season at the quarterback position, setting up a potential showdown between veteran Carson Palmer and the younger Terrelle Pryor.

Here's what Allen told the NFL Network on Thursday, according to The San Francisco Chronicle:

"We’re going to have some competition at that position. Carson Palmer did an outstanding job for us last year. We feel really good about Carson at the quarterback position moving forward, and obviously we want to create competition at all levels of our team; offensively, defensively, in the kicking game. The more competition that you can create, the better your football team is going to be. We’re going to look at that as we’re moving forward, but I feel good about Carson. Terrelle did some nice things in the final game of the season last year, so it’ll be interesting to see how he does as we move forward.”

Pryor, 23, started the Raiders' last game of the 2012 season. He helped account for all three touchdowns in the team's 24-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers, rushing for one and throwing for two.