Derek Carr’s Potential Return from Retirement

Former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly considering a return from retirement after officially stepping away from the NFL last year.

Carr, who is 34 and retired in May 2025 after 11 seasons, mentioned on his podcast that he would consider coming back if he’s healthy and has a viable chance at winning a Super Bowl. He noted that he has already turned down offers from multiple teams.

According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, “Teams looking to win have real interest in Carr.”

The New Orleans Saints signed Carr to a four-year, $150 million contract in 2023 and still hold his rights. Should Carr decide to return, the team would need to facilitate a trade, particularly as they drafted quarterback Tyler Schau last year and seem to be impressed with his progress.

Even if Carr had played last season, he might not have gotten much game time due to a series of shoulder injuries. In March 2025, he felt pain in his right shoulder during preparations for the season.

The Saints later revealed that medical scans showed Carr had a labral tear and some significant degenerative issues with his rotator cuff. Although surgery was an option, it was uncertain whether he could regain his previous level of strength and performance afterward.

David Carr, Derek’s younger brother and former NFL quarterback, expressed confidence in Derek’s health.

Last season, Derek appeared in 10 games, completing 67.7% of his passes for 2,145 yards, totaling 15 touchdowns against five interceptions, leading the Saints to a 5-5 record as a starter. However, he faced a concussion and a hand injury in the same play against the New York Giants, which cut his season short.

Throughout his career, Carr has played in 169 regular-season games, achieving a 77-92 record with a completion percentage of 65.1%. He accumulated 41,245 passing yards along with 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions, spending nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders before moving to the Saints for two seasons.