NEW ORLEANS — Don’t call it a comeback just yet, but keep the phone line open. Less than a year after hanging up his cleats due to a shredded shoulder, retired quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly back on the NFL radar. With the 2026 offseason underway and quarterback depth charts looking thin across the league, sources tell NFL Network that multiple teams are “doing their due diligence” on the 34-year-old signal-caller, who says he’s feeling better than ever.
The Buzz: Why Teams Are Calling Now
The NFL learned a hard lesson in 2025: you can never have enough quarterbacks. Injuries decimated contenders last season, leaving teams scrambling for answers. The Cincinnati Bengals, who reportedly checked in on Carr last year after Joe Burrow’s turf toe scare, remain a team to watch.
Carr walked away after the 2024 season, citing a severe labral tear and rotator cuff damage that would have sidelined him for all of 2025. But recent reports indicate those limitations are gone. Carr is throwing again—and while he claims it’s just for fun, his comments suggest the door is unlocked, if not fully open.
“Never Say Never”
Carr didn’t mince words when Dan Patrick asked him about a return back in September. While he wasn’t ready then, his mindset was clear: stay ready just in case.
“I wouldn’t say, no, never, because I’ve learned that when I say never, it usually happens… I throw a football every now and then out in the front with my kids and with my buddy, you know, for fun, because it’s part of my rehab still for my shoulder… If God wanted me to do it, I’ve got to be ready.” — Derek Carr, via The Dan Patrick Show
Alt Text: Derek Carr scanning the field in a Saints uniform before his 2025 retirement. Caption: Carr threw for 2,145 yards in his abbreviated final season with New Orleans. Description: A medium shot of Derek Carr in a black and gold Saints jersey, holding a football high and looking downfield, with a blurred stadium background.
The Saints Standoff: A Trade Required
Here is the snag: Carr can’t just sign anywhere. The New Orleans Saints still hold his contractual rights because he retired with time left on his deal. If Carr wants back in, a team has to trade for him.
New Orleans has zero reason to block a move. They struck gold in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft with Tyler Shough. The rookie out of Louisville didn’t just fill the void; he owned it, becoming an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. With Shough locked in as the franchise future, moving Carr’s rights would be free assets for the Saints.
By The Numbers: Carr’s Resume
Before his injury-shortened 2024 campaign, Carr was one of the league’s most durable passers. His career stat line remains a major selling point for QB-needy teams:
- Career Yards: 41,245
- Touchdowns: 257
- Completion Rate: 65.1%
- Record as Starter: 77-92
In his final active stint (2024), Carr went 5-5. That might look average until you see what happened without him: Saints backups Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener went a combined 0-7. Carr wasn’t just a starter; he was the difference between competitive football and a total collapse.
What’s Next?
Expect the chatter to heat up as free agency approaches in March. If Carr’s medicals check out—specifically that right shoulder—a team looking for a veteran bridge starter could send a late-round pick to New Orleans to secure him. The 2026 QB class is shallow, and free agency offers few sure things. Derek Carr might just be the best “available” quarterback who isn’t actually on the market—yet.
