Pro Football Rumors
Retired quarterback Derek Carr entered the offseason open to a return, but he remains out of football after encountering a tepid market. While one report indicated Carr did not draw any interest, the 35-year-old claims that wasn’t the case.
“There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason,” Carr told “Good Morning Football” on Friday. “I won’t say who or how, but they reached out and were gauging my interest on what I wanted to do. They were good, solid football teams.”
Pittsburgh and Minnesota were arguably the only “good, solid” teams that went into the new league year in March needing starters. But the Steelers weren’t going to make a move until they received confirmation on whether free agent Aaron Rodgers would play in 2026. Unsurprisingly, he re-signed with the team in May. Meanwhile, the Vikings addressed the position when they signed Kyler Murray in March. The Jets (Geno Smith), Dolphins (Malik Willis), Falcons (Tua Tagovailoa), Raiders (Kirk Cousins) and Cardinals (Gardner Minshew) also added veterans who are either surefire or potential Week 1 starters, but most or all of those clubs are rebuilding.
Asked if he is still willing to come back, Carr said, “Never say never.” However, the four-time Pro Bowler added he would only do it for a “special team.” Carr is otherwise content to spend time with his family and play golf, but he is “always training” in the event an opportunity arises.
An 11-year veteran who divided his career between the Raiders and Saints, Carr missed seven games with a shoulder injury in 2024 and walked away from the sport in May 2025. New Orleans, which placed Carr on the reserve/retired list, continues to hold his rights. As a result, Carr can’t play anywhere else unless the Saints release or trade him. If teams have contacted Carr in recent months, they would have had to do so with the Saints’ permission. Otherwise, it qualifies as tampering.
Although it does not appear Carr will play in 2026, his future could change if a contender loses its starting QB to an injury between training camp and the Nov. 10 trade deadline. The Bengals and Colts contacted Carr after they lost their starters to long-term injuries last season, but neither team lured him out of retirement. Cincinnati wound up trading for Joe Flacco to fill in for Joe Burrow, while Indianapolis shockingly convinced 44-year-old Philip Rivers to return for a few weeks and replace Daniel Jones.
