NEW ORLEANS — The NFL’s annual game of quarterback musical chairs is spinning at a blinding pace, but Derek Carr is still standing without a seat. Despite the four-time Pro Bowler’s public flirtation with an NFL comeback this spring, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reports that the New Orleans Saints have received zero trade inquiries for Carr’s contract rights through the first week of free agency.
New Orleans isn’t exactly sweating the silence. The front office spent 2025 watching rookie sensation Tyler Shough grab the franchise by the horns. Shough, the 40th overall pick in last year’s draft, carved up defenses for 2,384 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in just 11 games. He didn’t just play; he locked down the job, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors and proving the post-Carr era is already in full swing in the Bayou.
The real problem for Carr isn’t his talent—it’s the timing. The first wave of 2026 free agency saw a massive reshuffling of veteran arms. The Vikings snatched Kyler Murray, the Dolphins gambled on Malik Willis, and the Jets traded for Geno Smith. With those vacancies filled, the list of teams looking for a 34-year-old starter coming off a year-long hiatus is remarkably short.
“Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not. I’d have to be healthy and I’d want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously, that’s a tough thing to find.”
— Derek Carr, via the ‘Home Grown’ Podcast
If Carr wants a path back to the field, his eyes are likely glued to Pittsburgh. The Steelers, now led by head coach Mike McCarthy, represent the only realistic “win-now” destination left on the map. However, the Steel City is currently frozen, waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers returns for a 22nd season or hangs up the cleats for good.
Until Rodgers makes a move, or the Raiders officially turn the page by drafting Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall next month, the Saints are stuck holding the rights to a player who might not have a market. Carr’s comeback dreams currently hinge on an injury in training camp or a legendary quarterback finally walking away. For now, the phone in New Orleans remains silent.
