Derek Carr Faces Uncertain Future Amid NFL Comeback Hopes

Retired quarterback Derek Carr appears to be facing challenges regarding a potential return to the NFL. Prior to the beginning of the new NFL year on March 13, Carr indicated he had received interest from “three or four teams” wanting to acquire his rights from the New Orleans Saints. However, recent reports suggest that these teams may not be as committed to adding Carr to their rosters as initially thought.

As of the scouting combine week, Mike Florio, an NFL insider with Pro Football Talk, noted that the Saints had not received any inquiries from teams regarding a trade for Carr’s contract rights. He further reported that through the first week of free agency, there remained no interest from other teams. Carr, who was on the Saints’ roster when he retired last spring due to a significant shoulder injury, may find himself without viable options as the season approaches.

The Saints could be looking for a third- or fifth-round draft pick in exchange for Carr, according to Katherine Terrell, a reporter for ESPN. With Carr turning 35 on March 28, the urgency for a trade may be diminishing. Teams such as the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons have made moves to address their quarterback situations without pursuing Carr.

The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to select Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, further complicating Carr’s prospects. Meanwhile, neither the Pittsburgh Steelers nor the Cleveland Browns seem inclined to pursue Carr as free agency progresses.

Challenges for a Comeback

In February, Carr hinted that he would only consider a comeback if it presented a “chance to win a Super Bowl.” As of mid-March, no advertised contenders appear to be in need of a starting quarterback, and this landscape is unlikely to change soon. Florio remarked that there are currently “no takers for Carr, if he were to unretire.”

The dynamic of the league could shift if a starter on a competing team suffers a serious injury before the trade deadline. In such a scenario, Carr could emerge as a potential alternative. However, it remains uncertain whether he would be willing to join a new team during the season. If he is not open to in-season acquisitions, Carr’s attempt at a comeback could end up as a fleeting moment of what might have been.

As the NFL season approaches, the spotlight remains on Carr and his next steps, with many watching to see if he can navigate the complexities of a potential return to the field.