​The NFL is entering a busy stretch as training camps loom and the preseason schedule begins to take shape. With teams evaluating pivotal position battles ahead of the season, quarterback competitions are at the forefront for several franchises. In the midst of this, one former quarterback has kept the door open for a potential return in 2026: Derek Carr.
Derek Carr, who previously started for the Las Vegas Raiders, has long made it clear that retirement would only be revisited if the right opportunity presented itself. He recently spoke on Good Morning Football, revealing that multiple teams reached out to him during the offseason to gauge his interest in a potential comeback. While he did not disclose which teams had contacted him, Carr emphasized that the inquiries were from “good, solid football teams” and that the nature of the conversations was focused on his level of interest and willingness to return.
Carr stressed that any decision to come back would hinge on finding a situation that offers a real chance to compete for a championship. He added that even if a team presented such an opportunity, there were no guarantees of his return. This guarded stance reflects his priority on the competitive implications and the fit of the potential team rather than a desire to simply play again.
The context behind Carr’s retirement helps explain the careful approach he’s taking. He stepped away from football last offseason after doctors diagnosed a career-threatening shoulder injury that required surgical repair. The announcement surprised many, given that Carr was just 34 at the time. Now, at 35, he remains a potential veteran option for teams in need of quarterback depth or a weekly starter, provided he has fully recovered and can perform at a high level.
Any team evaluating Carr would likely want a thorough assessment of his shoulder’s recovery and still-present physical capabilities. Even though 35 is not exceedingly old for an NFL quarterback in today’s league, the combination of age and a significant injury history makes teams more cautious. When healthy, Carr has proven he can operate as a starting-caliber quarterback and delivered a respectable body of work despite spending tenuring seasons with a Raiders franchise that faced its share of turmoil. His departure from Las Vegas came when the Raiders released him after the 2022 season, and he subsequently joined the New Orleans Saints, whose contract rights to him remain in place.
Should a team pursue Carr, the path to his addition would likely involve a trade. Given his age, past injury concerns, and the current contractual situation, the compensation required would probably be modest. It’s feasible that Carr could be moved for a conditional late-round pick, such as a sixth- or seventh-round selection, depending on the terms of the trade and the acquiring team’s needs.
For now, Carr continues to be retired, with his potential return dependent entirely on discovering the “perfect situation” he has described—a scenario where a team both needs him and offers a realistic chance to chase a championship. As the NFL gears up for training camp and the preseason, the possibility of a Carr return remains an intriguing subplot, one that teams and fans will watch closely as the season approaches. If such a scenario materializes, it would add an intriguing layer to the quarterback market and could reshape late-offseason discussions about roster-building and championship narratives.