4x Pro Bowl QB could unretire for 2026 NFL season

Derek Carr considering comeback after retiring from Saints in 2025

Feb. 8, 2026 at 3:55pm

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Nearly a year after announcing his retirement from the NFL, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr could make a U-turn and return to the league, but it would take the right situation to convince him to take the field again. The New Orleans Saints still hold Carr's rights, and the team and the quarterback aren't on bad terms, so it won't be hard to imagine they would work things out again if Carr decides to unretire.

Why it matters

Carr's potential unretirement would be a significant development for the Saints, who are facing uncertainty at the quarterback position after Carr's retirement and the emergence of Tyler Shough. Carr's return could provide stability and experience to the Saints' offense.

The details

Following a challenging shoulder injury, Derek Carr decided to call it a career, leaving the New Orleans Saints in a complex position with Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough in the quarterback room. However, teams have conducted due diligence on Carr, trying to gather information as to whether the former Saints franchise passer would consider coming out of retirement, with the Bengals contacting Carr after Joe Burrow went down with his turf toe injury.

  • In 2025, Derek Carr announced his retirement from the NFL.
  • In the 2026 NFL season, Carr could potentially unretire and return to the league.

The players

Derek Carr

A four-time Pro Bowl quarterback who retired from the NFL in 2025 after a challenging shoulder injury, but is now considering a comeback for the 2026 season.

Tyler Shough

A rookie quarterback for the New Orleans Saints who has shown flashes of potential and is considered the clear candidate to lead the Saints' offense for the future.

Spencer Rattler

A quarterback for the New Orleans Saints who is currently in the quarterback room alongside Tyler Shough.

Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals' starting quarterback who suffered a turf toe injury, prompting the team to contact Derek Carr about a potential unretirement.

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What they’re saying

“As quarterback injuries mounted this season and into the playoffs, teams conducted due diligence on Carr, trying to gather information as to whether the former Saints franchise passer would consider coming out of retirement, sources tell The Insiders. The Bengals, for instance, contacted Carr after Joe Burrow went down with his turf toe injury.”

— Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, NFL Network's 'The Insiders' (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The New Orleans Saints will need to decide if they want to bring Derek Carr back and work out a deal, or if they are comfortable moving forward with Tyler Shough as their starting quarterback.

The takeaway

Derek Carr's potential unretirement could be a game-changer for the New Orleans Saints, providing them with an experienced and proven quarterback to lead their offense. However, the Saints will need to carefully weigh their options and determine if Carr's return is the best path forward for the team.