Derek Carr's Comeback Bid Raises Questions for Saints

Former Saints QB open to return, but no teams have expressed interest yet

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:15am

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Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has made it clear he's open to coming out of retirement to play for a Super Bowl contender in 2026. However, the Saints have not heard from any teams interested in acquiring Carr's contractual rights via trade. With most contenders already set at quarterback, Carr may have to wait for a season-ending injury before finding a new home.

Why it matters

Carr's potential comeback creates an interesting situation for the Saints, who still hold his rights. If a team expresses interest in trading for Carr, the Saints could potentially get something in return for a player they no longer need. But if no trade materializes, the Saints may have to consider releasing Carr's rights, allowing him to sign elsewhere as a free agent.

The details

Carr retired from the NFL in 2025 after one season with the Saints. He has now indicated he would be open to returning to play for a Super Bowl contender. However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reports the Saints have not heard from any teams interested in acquiring Carr via trade. Most contenders already have their starting quarterback in place, so Carr may have to wait for a season-ending injury before finding a new home.

  • Carr retired from the NFL in 2025.
  • Carr expressed interest in a comeback in early 2026.

The players

Derek Carr

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback who retired in 2025 but is now open to a comeback.

Mike Florio

Pro Football Talk reporter who broke the news that the Saints have not heard from any teams interested in trading for Carr.

New Orleans Saints

NFL team that currently holds the contractual rights to Derek Carr.

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What they’re saying

“Earlier this month, quarterback Derek Carr made it clear that he'd end his one-year retirement to play for a Super Bowl contender.”

— Mike Florio, Reporter

What’s next

If no trade materializes before the deadline, the Saints may have to consider releasing Carr's rights, allowing him to sign with a contender as a free agent.

The takeaway

Carr's potential comeback bid raises an interesting dilemma for the Saints, who could potentially get something in return for him via trade, but may have to let him go if no teams express interest in the coming months.