It sure sounds like Derek Carr will be playing football in 2026, and he won’t be dressing out for the New Orleans Saints. He’s let his interest be known in a return to the NFL after sitting out the 2025 season to rest a banged-up right shoulder.

With several openings around the league and few viable options out there in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, it seems likely that Carr will have an opportunity to pick his spot. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports that Carr began rehabbing his injured throwing shoulder early in the 2025 season, and “has now improved to the point where he is throwing fully as part of his regular exercise routine. Teams have learned Carr currently has no shoulder limitations.”

Garafolo added that while “Carr doesn’t seem to be actively chasing” an NFL comeback, his sources say “the right situation and coaching staff could lure Carr back onto the field.” That’s about as boilerplate as it gets. While injuries limited Carr to playing in 27 of 34 games during his two years in New Orleans, he did throw for 6,023 yards and 40 touchdowns. The 11-year starter is going to appeal to some teams around the league.

And because the Saints control his contract for 2026, any interested team would have to trade them something to get Carr. Now, don’t get your hopes up. They aren’t about to strongarm someone into giving up a first- or second-round pick. Even a third rounder might be too rich. If anything, history says fans should hope for a swap of late-round picks that benefits New Orleans. But as Garafolo pointed out, Carr doesn’t have a future with the Saints. Getting something might be better than nothing.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Report: Former Saints QB Derek Carr is healthy, searching for new team