Derek Carr's Potential Return to NFL Raises Questions

Former Saints QB's comeback plans remain uncertain as teams show little interest so far.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:24pm

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Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is considering a return to the NFL after retiring last year, but his plans have raised more questions than answers so far. The Saints still hold Carr's contract rights, and they have not received any inquiries from other teams about potentially trading for him. With the Saints committed to developing young QB Tyler Shough, Carr's path back to the league remains unclear.

Why it matters

Carr's potential comeback is an intriguing storyline, but his uncertain status highlights the challenges veteran quarterbacks can face in finding the right opportunity to continue their careers after retirement. The Saints' lack of interest in trading Carr suggests they may not view him as a priority, potentially leaving the former Pro Bowler searching for a new team if he is serious about playing again.

The details

Carr retired about a year ago as he faced the prospect of a difficult injury return to get back on the field for the Saints in 2025. New Orleans ended up discovering that rookie QB Tyler Shough had enough promise to view him as their quarterback going forward. Carr has said he'll come back to play for a Super Bowl contender, but where he might find that opportunity remains unclear, as the Saints hold his rights and would have to trade him if he wanted to play for a different team.

  • Carr retired about a year ago.
  • As of Scouting Combine week, the Saints hadn't heard from any team regarding a potential trade for Carr's contract rights.
  • Through the first week of free agency, the Saints still haven't gotten any inquiries about Carr.

The players

Derek Carr

A former NFL quarterback who retired from the New Orleans Saints last year, but is now considering a comeback.

Tyler Shough

The rookie quarterback the Saints have identified as their quarterback of the future, reducing the need for Carr's services.

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What they’re saying

“As of Scouting Combine week, the Saints hadn't heard from any team regarding a potential trade for Carr's contract rights. Through the first week of free agency, we're told, the Saints still haven't gotten any inquiries.”

— Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk writer

What’s next

If Carr is serious about returning to the NFL, he may need an injury or unexpected change at the quarterback position on a contending team to create the right opening for him. Otherwise, he may remain in a holding pattern as the Saints continue to focus on developing Tyler Shough.

The takeaway

Carr's potential comeback highlights the challenges veteran quarterbacks can face in finding the right opportunity to continue their careers after retirement. The Saints' lack of interest in trading Carr suggests they may not view him as a priority, potentially leaving the former Pro Bowler searching for a new team if he is serious about playing again.