​Photo by: Matthew Hinton Derek Carr is beginning the next chapter of his football career, and this time he will be standing on the sideline instead of taking the snap.The former NFL quarterback is joining the UCLA Bruins football program as a volunteer special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney, the school announced Monday. Carr will work with UCLA’s quarterbacks and assist Chesney and the offensive staff with game-planning strategy.For Carr, the move represents a return to football in a new role after more than a decade as an NFL quarterback.It also gives UCLA a veteran quarterback with years of experience reading defenses, preparing for opponents and leading an NFL offense.From NFL Quarterback to College MentorCarr spent 12 seasons in the NFL after being selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft.He quickly established himself as the Raiders’ franchise quarterback and became one of the most productive passers in team history. Carr earned four Pro Bowl selections during his career and spent nine seasons with the Raiders before joining the New Orleans Saints.His final NFL seasons were affected by injuries, and Carr eventually stepped away from playing.Earlier this year, however, Carr left the door open to a possible return to the NFL under the right circumstances. He said he would consider coming back if he were healthy and had a legitimate opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl.That opportunity never materialized.Instead, Carr has chosen a different way to remain involved in the game.A New Opportunity at UCLACarr’s arrival comes at an important time for UCLA.The Bruins are entering the 2026 season under first-year head coach Bob Chesney, who took over the program after a successful run at James Madison. Chesney has spent the offseason building his first coaching staff and establishing a new culture in Westwood.Adding Carr gives that staff another experienced football mind.His responsibilities will include working with UCLA’s quarterbacks and helping with offensive game planning. That means the Bruins’ quarterbacks will have the opportunity to learn directly from someone who spent years studying NFL defenses and playing the position at the highest level.Carr’s role could be especially valuable for young quarterbacks who are learning how to prepare for opponents, recognize defensive looks and make decisions before and after the snap.Why Carr Makes Sense for the BruinsThe transition from playing quarterback to coaching is not always easy.Playing the position requires an individual to process an enormous amount of information while executing the game plan. Coaching requires taking that knowledge and teaching it to someone else.Carr now gets the opportunity to do exactly that.Throughout his NFL career, Carr was known for his preparation and leadership. He started 163 regular-season games and threw for more than 41,000 yards, giving him an extensive collection of experiences that he can now pass along to younger players.His car