NFL Rumors: Saints Haven't Received Any Inquiries About Derek Carr

Former Saints QB Derek Carr is considering unretiring, but New Orleans hasn't heard from any teams interested in acquiring him.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:03pm

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The New Orleans Saints were pleasantly surprised by QB Tyler Shough's performance during his rookie season, but the team may still be looking to upgrade at the position. Former Saints QB Derek Carr has said he's considering unretiring, but the Saints have not received any inquiries from other teams about acquiring Carr's contract rights.

Why it matters

The Saints are in a rebuilding phase, and adding an experienced veteran like Carr could help accelerate their return to contention. However, if the Saints can't find a trade partner for Carr, they may have to look elsewhere to bolster their quarterback room.

The details

Carr declared that he would consider a return to the NFL under two conditions - that he is healthy enough for a comeback and that he has a chance to win a Super Bowl. However, as of the first week of free agency, the Saints have not received any calls from teams interested in trading for Carr's contract rights. This is not great news for New Orleans, as many quarterback-needy teams have already addressed the position in free agency, reducing the potential landing spots for Carr.

  • On Saturday, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reported that the Saints had not heard from any teams about a potential trade for Carr's contract rights as of Scouting Combine week.
  • Through the first week of free agency, the Saints still have not received any inquiries about Carr.

The players

Derek Carr

Former quarterback for the New Orleans Saints who is considering unretiring and returning to the NFL in 2026.

Tyler Shough

Rookie quarterback for the New Orleans Saints who had a promising 2025 season, throwing for 2,384 yards with 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

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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, Reporter

What’s next

If Carr does decide to return to the NFL, he might wait until closer to training camp before actually choosing a team. The Cardinals and Steelers are seen as the most realistic landing spots left for Carr, with the Steelers potentially having the better Super Bowl odds.

The takeaway

The Saints' lack of interest in Carr so far highlights the challenges they may face in upgrading their quarterback position this offseason. While Shough showed promise, the team may need to explore other options to find a long-term solution at the position and return to contention.