Quarterback dominoes will soon begin falling around the league. One potential wild card at the position could be Derek Carr, who is giving thought to an NFL return. 
Carr retired during the 2025 offseason in a decision which ended his run with the Saints and allowed his injured throwing shoulder to heal. An NFL comeback is now being explored, although it remains to be seen if suitors will emerge in the near future. It appears as though there is currently little interest in this case.
Conversations SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora had with quarterback-needy teams “revealed no appetite” exists at this point for Carr. The four-time Pro Bowler is a full season removed from his last NFL action, and his two-year run as New Orleans’ starter largely fell short of expectations. Carr remains under contract with the Saints, a factor which could complicate any acquisition on the part of an interested team.
An agent La Canfora spoke with echoed the sentiment that Carr, who will turn 35 later this month, is not considered a major threat to the signal-callers set to reach free agency. Malik Willis will be the most in-demand QB of 2026, while at least most of Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith are positioned to be released shortly. Teams can pursue them without needing to work out a trade agreement, something which could easily leave Carr as a relatively unattractive option on the market. Even in advance of a weak draft class, Carr could struggle to find a starting gig.
The longtime Raiders passer has indicated he will be picky when evaluating his options. Joining a contender represents an obvious goal for Carr, who has made only one playoff start (a loss in 2021) in 11 NFL seasons to date. The Saints seem to have their long-term starter in the form of Tyler Shough, so they would presumably be amenable to most trade offers for Carr. Whether or not bids will be made to make a swap feasible is still unclear, though.
There was a tepid market when he was an active player…why would there be a market for a mediocre at best QB after he’s been on a hiatus??
I mean Geno and fields got paid lol Carr can sign SOMEWHERE
The Colts literally inquired about him last year, so it just depends on how desperate a team is.
That plus finances. Even Zach Wilson will sign somewhere
So go to the pro bowl 4 times and you’re a mediocre player? Ok lol
@Plus3 Pro Bowls honestly don’t mean much these days
Pro bowls are a joke. TouchType football.
PB is meaningless and how many was he first ballot or sub??
Plus3- Shadeur Sanders and Joe Flacco made the Pro Bowl this year. So the PB literally has no value on a resume anymore.
Steelers should grab him instead of Rodgers
No the steelers should not got for him or Rodgers. Ho with what they have or draft one.
Signing a veteran qb will just push this franchise back further. All artie wants is 9-8 or 10_7. And destroyed in the first round.
No. Not carr or the snowflake Rodgers. Go with Howard or draft and qb. Artie is delirious in thinking the team can win with Rodgers.
Slow news day
He could make sense for the Falcons, Vikings, Colts, or Steelers if he’s determined to only play for a team resembling a contender. KC is a viable option if he goes the ring chasing route & doesn’t mind only starting a game or 2 early in the season.
He’ll be a Colts after they lose out on Jones.
I can’t see Steichen wanting Carr
Well, yeah. He also wants to play for a contender, whic lh is oxymoronic because a contender wouldn’t have Derek Carr starting. His best chance is probably if there’s an injury to a starter before the season or early in it.
Most likely so. Unless whatever medicals are available are pretty bad.
Hard pass if you have to put up with his brother and their social media and press blocking thin skinned nonsense.
Hardly shocking. Okay QB who now has injury issues and has spent a year out of the game. I’d have doubts about him being a starter at this Seth moment.
Only think I could really see is a cheap veteran role with Vikings to either compete with or mentor JJ to improve.
I think the option that makes sense the most to me is a return to the Raiders. Has connections with Kubiak and can serve as a mentor and bridge for Mendoza
Carr to Shaheed and Bowers could work till Mendoza is ready … look, I am excited for Mendoza and wish him the best but everytime I look at his face, he reminds me of the banjo playing kid from the movie Deliverance.
I know Donte Thornton hasnt produced much to date, but I think Carr would hit him for a big gain at least every other game!
Couldn’t he unretire and force a release? The Saints are like $11mil over the cap, and he’d add to that.
Tepid 😆
Back up QB material , if he doesn’t like that he’d better re-retire
This just feels like a question that is better explored after a midseason injury. Had Carr played last season, there certainly would be a better market, but having a year off-following an injury driven retirement decision-definitely makes potential suitors fewer and farther between.
Also his desire to play for a contender limits teams and the trade draft pick cost.
Goodell’s flag football league can’t arrive soon enough for some of these guys 🙂
His best best is going in as back-up for at team that has a shaky starter situation. Maybe Cinci as insurance for if…actually, when…Burrows gets injured, Carolina, or maybe ATL.