Derek Carr appears willing to come back to the NFL after rejecting the Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals Pursue Quarterback Options Amid Injuries

The Cincinnati Bengals are actively searching for a new quarterback, especially after their phone lines buzzed with potential deals.

In the wake of Joe Burrow’s injury, Jake Browning stepped in but didn’t perform particularly well, leading the Bengals to acquire veteran Joe Flacco for some stability.

However, there was a significant development that didn’t quite pan out: discussions with Derek Carr.

David Carr, Derek’s brother, mentioned that the Bengals had been interested in signing the former Saints quarterback, who unexpectedly announced his retirement this offseason.

“I can’t confirm or deny,” David joked during an interview with a local ABC news outlet.

Interestingly, Derek’s decision not to join the Bengals is not tied to the shoulder injury that led him to forfeit a significant $30 million salary to retire. Rather, it revolves around Joe Burrow’s presence. Burrow is currently sidelined with a toe injury, expected to be out until December.

“Derek wants to be part of a team that needs him long-term,” David remarked. “There’s a chance Joe might come back this season. If that were the case, I doubt Derek would want to step into a scenario where he carries a team through the playoffs only to have to watch from the sidelines later.”

David commented further that Derek is enjoying his retirement lifestyle—being able to wake up when he wants. Still, it’s noteworthy that he might be open to a comeback.

“You wouldn’t want the quarterback of a championship-caliber team to get injured, which can happen, but if it does, Derek would definitely be ready,” David said.

It was initially reported that Derek sought to avoid further shoulder surgery, which could lead to a lengthy recovery and cut his 2025 season short.

The 34-year-old, a four-time Pro Bowler, had shown promise in limited appearances last season for the Saints. He also received positive feedback for his role as a sports analyst for NFL shows on Netflix.

Last season, Derek threw for 2,145 yards, achieved 15 touchdowns, and had only five interceptions for New Orleans. Given that, if the Bengals need a quarterback, he would certainly be an upgrade over other options.