Saints' Derek Carr Faces Tough Trade Market After Comeback Announcement

The retired quarterback's high demands have limited interest from potential suitors so far.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:58pm

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Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced earlier this year that he would be willing to return to the NFL in the right situation, sparking trade speculation. However, Carr's insistence on only playing for a Super Bowl contender has severely limited the market for his services, with no teams having contacted the Saints about acquiring him so far.

Why it matters

Carr's retirement and potential comeback have been a major storyline this offseason, as teams look to upgrade their quarterback situations. His high demands and lack of interest from contenders highlights the challenges of an aging veteran trying to return to the league on his own terms.

The details

Carr, a four-time Pro Bowler, confirmed in a February interview that he would be open to returning to the NFL, but only for a team with a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl. This has proven to be a tough sell, as most quarterback-needy teams like the Jets and Vikings have already filled their needs through the draft or free agency. The Saints, Carr's former team, have also not received any inquiries about the retired QB.

  • In February 2026, Carr announced he would be willing to return to the NFL in the right situation.
  • In March 2026, the Jets and Vikings addressed their quarterback needs, reducing potential suitors for Carr.

The players

Derek Carr

A four-time Pro Bowl quarterback who retired from the NFL after the 2025 season, but has since expressed a willingness to return to the league if he can join a Super Bowl contender.

New Orleans Saints

The NFL team that Carr played for prior to his retirement, and who have not received any trade inquiries about the veteran quarterback.

Geno Smith

The New York Jets' new starting quarterback, acquired in the offseason to fill their need at the position.

Kyler Murray

The Minnesota Vikings' new starting quarterback, acquired in a trade to replace their previous starter.

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What they’re saying

“Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not. ... Would I do it? Absolutely I would do it. I told you two things. I would have to be healthy and I would want a chance to win a Super Bowl and obviously that's a tough thing to find. That's hard to do. That's not easy.”

— Derek Carr, Former New Orleans Saints Quarterback

What’s next

As the offseason continues, it remains to be seen if any Super Bowl contenders will emerge as potential trade partners for the Saints and Derek Carr. The quarterback's high demands have limited interest so far, but injuries or other roster moves could change the landscape in the coming months.

The takeaway

Derek Carr's comeback attempt has hit a roadblock, as his insistence on only playing for a Super Bowl contender has severely limited the market for his services. This highlights the challenges aging veterans can face when trying to return to the NFL on their own terms, especially when they have been out of the game for a year.