Derek Carr Reportedly Serious About Unretiring, NFL Teams Showing Interest originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly very serious about coming out of retirement and returning to the NFL for the 2026 season.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, conversations with teams active in the quarterback market reveal a strong belief that Carr intends to play again.
Carr’s rights still belong to the Saints but that several clubs with legitimate contention hopes have expressed real interest in the veteran.
Sources: In talking to teams in the QB market, there’s a strong belief former #Saints QB Derek Carr is very serious about unretiring and returning to the NFL in 2026.
Carr’s rights belong to the Saints, but teams with winning aspirations have real interest in the former 4x Pro… pic.twitter.com/bWlho5qMrE
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 25, 2026
Carr stepped away from the game in May 2025 after dealing with a shoulder issue that required surgery and ultimately influenced his initial decision to retire. The four-time Pro Bowler had spent two seasons in New Orleans following a long tenure with the Raiders.
The offseason quarterback landscape continues to evolve with several teams evaluating options ahead of free agency and the draft. Carr’s experience and proven track record as a steady starter make him an intriguing target for organizations seeking immediate stability without committing massive long-term resources to a rookie or unproven free agent.
Schultz’s reporting suggests the interest is genuine from winning-caliber squads, though any move would first require negotiations with the Saints regarding his rights. At 34 years old, Carr would bring leadership and familiarity with pro schemes to whichever locker room he joins.
Whether Carr lands with a contender or takes a bridge role with a team like the New York Jets remains to be seen, but the door to his return appears wide open based on current sentiment around the league.
In his most recent season (2024) with the Saints, Derek Carr appeared in 10 games. He completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions, posting a solid 101.0 passer rating.
Carr showed efficiency and ball security in a run-heavy offense, delivering several strong outings early in the campaign. The shoulder concerns that surfaced later prompted his retirement, but those numbers reiterated the type of reliable production he can still provide when healthy.
More NFL: Patriots’ Offseason Checklist: Fix These 5 Things and They’re Right Back
