Derek Carr: A Possible Return to the NFL
Derek Carr might not be done just yet.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback surprisingly stepped away from the game last May—blame a shoulder injury—but according to recent reports, he could make a comeback next season if the “right circumstances and coaching staff” align.
Turning 35 in March, Carr walked away from a hefty $30 million after suffering a torn labrum and rotator cuff injury in his throwing shoulder, opting for retirement without undergoing surgery.
Reports indicate that Carr’s recovery is progressing well, and he’s now “no longer limited by his shoulder,” even starting to incorporate pitching into his training, as noted on NFL.com.
Despite his retirement, the 11-year veteran has made media appearances where he left the door open for a possible return.
“I can’t say never,” Carr mentioned in a conversation with Dan Patrick last September when asked about returning to the field. “If I say, ‘I’ll never do it,’ it usually happens. I think that goes for everyone. I love to train, and that’ll always be part of my life.”
After losing star quarterback Joe Burrow to a turf toe injury last season, the Bengals expressed interest in acquiring Carr. However, he felt hesitant about committing to Cincinnati, given the uncertainty surrounding Burrow’s return, according to his brother, David.
“Derek wants to be in a situation where he’s needed,” David said, indicating that Carr doesn’t want to find himself watching from the sidelines if he joins a team with an injury-prone quarterback.
Interestingly enough, the Saints still hold Carr’s rights, although this wouldn’t bar him from signing elsewhere, particularly with the emergence of Tyler Shaw last season.
A second-round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft, Carr dedicated his first nine seasons to the Raiders, where he solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top quarterbacks.
In February 2023, after being waived, Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints, with $100 million guaranteed. At one point, he was apparently leaning towards the Jets before they ultimately acquired four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
In his NFL career so far, Carr has played in 169 regular-season games, throwing for over 41,245 yards and tallying 257 touchdowns.
