NEW ORLEANS — Derek Carr is officially bored with retirement. After sitting out the 2025 season to mend a shredded throwing shoulder, the 34-year-old veteran announced he is ready to suit up again. He isn’t looking for a rebuild or a paycheck; he wants a ring. Carr revealed on his podcast that his arm is healthy and he is actively waiting for a championship-caliber team to call.
The Shoulder is Back, but the Path is Narrow
Carr walked away from the New Orleans Saints in 2024 after a grueling season hampered by a labral tear and rotator cuff damage. Critics thought his career ended at 41,245 passing yards and 257 touchdowns. They were wrong. The year off allowed his body to reset, and he reportedly feels stronger than he did during his final days in the Big Easy. However, returning isn’t as simple as signing a contract. Carr remains on the retired-reserve list, meaning any interested suitor must first strike a trade deal with Saints GM Mickey Loomis.
The 2026 free agency frenzy has already claimed most of the league’s top chairs. The Dolphins secured Malik Willis to lead their explosive offense, the Jets brought Geno Smith back to where it all began, and the Vikings landed Kyler Murray to fix their stability issues. This leaves Carr with a shrinking map of potential homes.
“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. I had to say no a couple times so far.”
— Derek Carr, via Home Grown Podcast
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The quarterback landscape is a game of musical chairs, and the music just stopped. Only two teams have glaring holes at the QB1 spot: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. For Carr, the Steelers represent the only realistic path to his Super Bowl dream. If Aaron Rodgers decides to hang up his cleats in Pittsburgh, or if the organization passes on drafting Ty Simpson, Carr becomes the most polished “mercenary” available.
The hurdle is Carr’s own history. He has only reached the postseason twice in eleven years, including a 2021 Wild Card loss to the Bengals where he threw for 310 yards but couldn’t seal the deal. At 34, he is no longer a long-term franchise solution. He is a high-floor veteran for a team that is “a quarterback away.” If a contender loses their starter to an August injury, expect the Saints’ phones to start ringing. Until then, Carr is a man with a golden arm and nowhere to throw.
