​If former Raiders and Saints quarterback Derek Carr decides to return to the field, there are teams that have shown interest in his services. Yet, up to this point, none of the offers or conversations have presented him with something compelling enough to accept. During a recent appearance on NFL Network, Carr indicated that several teams have reached out to gauge whether he might consider coming out of retirement, and he did not completely rule out the possibility. He did not reveal the identities of the teams, and he noted that if those conversations occurred without the Saints’ authorization, they would have run afoul of the NFL’s tampering rules. Carr was still under contract with the Saints when he retired, and any team contacting him would ordinarily require the Saints’ permission. Additionally, the Saints would likely seek trade compensation from any interested team.
“I never say never,” Carr said, acknowledging that it would require a special situation. He revealed that multiple teams had reached out to him this offseason to assess his interest, though he chose not to disclose which teams or the specifics of those inquiries. He described the teams that contacted him as “good, solid football teams.”
Carr made clear that a potential return would only happen if a Super Bowl contender experienced a need for his skill set. “I’m just at the point where I just want to win. I want to win. So if I were to do it, it would have to be a special team that maybe lost somebody or needed somebody, but even then, it’s not guaranteed,” he explained. He added that for now, he is enjoying time with his wife and children and focusing on golf, suggesting that any return would require a “special deal.”
When Carr announced his retirement last year, both he and the Saints cited the shoulder injury as a major factor that could have limited his ability to continue playing. Today, Carr contends that if the right team calls at the right moment, he would be in shape and ready to play, even if he does not expect it to occur. “I’m always training,” he said. “I’ll be in shape and ready, but probably not. I’ll probably be just coaching my kids.”
The 35-year-old quarterback was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 draft, spent nine seasons with the franchise, and then spent his final two seasons with the Saints in 2023 and 2024. After spending a year away from football, Carr is not ruling out suiting up for a third NFL team, as he continues to weigh his options and assess whether a favorable opportunity could arise.