​Derek Carr isn’t currently on an NFL roster, but that doesn’t mean NFL teams aren’t calling. The former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback joined NFL Network’s Good Morning Football from a celebrity golf event on Friday to give an update on where his football future might head. Right now, it seems his market is gentle rather than explosive.
“I’ll never say never. It would take a special situation,” Carr said. “There were multiple teams that reached out this offseason, and I won’t say who or how, but they reached out and were just gauging my interest in what I wanted to do. They were good, solid football teams, but they were in different positions. I’m at the point where I want to win and I want to accomplish those things. If I were to come back, it would need to be with a special team.”
When asked what that “special team” would look like, Carr explained that he isn’t ready to trade in his golf clubs for football pads unless he has a real shot to replace a starter on a playoff contender. He suggested that an in-season injury, similar to what the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts experienced at times, could open a door for him. But for now, he’s content focusing on his swing, his family, and life away from the field.
Technically, Carr remains under contract with the Saints through 2026, even though they’ve placed him on the reserve/retired list. If he does decide to return this season, New Orleans would have the chance to reclaim some value in a trade with his next team. While that return might not be anything extravagant—likely a mid-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft—it would still be something tangible rather than nothing at all.
Don’t expect to see Carr firing a football across your TV screen this fall. Yet, as he himself noted, never say never. The status of his career remains open-ended, with options potentially materializing if the right circumstances arise. The latest update from Metairie, Louisiana, captured at Saints mini-camp, underscores a candid truth: Carr isn’t ruling out a return, but he’s not actively chasing one in the immediate future either. The situation remains nuanced, with Carr prioritizing personal goals, family time, and the possibility of a comeback only if the opportunity aligns with a high-probability path to winning.