​NFL teams may be tampering with retired Saints quarterback Derek Carr, originally published by The Sporting News. The article notes The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. Derek Carr is officially retired, but reports indicate that several NFL teams are expressing interest in bringing him back, leading to speculation about possible tampering.
The central issue remains this: New Orleans can grant permission for other teams to speak with Carr. Whether that permission has been granted at this time is unclear. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio highlighted the situation on his website, citing Carr’s own remarks on NFL Network. Carr said teams have contacted him about a potential return and he hasn’t ruled it out. He did not name the clubs involved, but Florio emphasized that if those teams spoke with Carr without first obtaining permission from the Saints, they would be violating the NFL’s tampering rules. Since Carr was under contract with the Saints when he retired, other teams cannot initiate contact without the Saints’ consent. Additionally, the Saints would likely seek trade compensation from any team seeking Carr.
Carr’s NFL Network appearance also offered insight into what a comeback might look like for him. “I’m just at the point where I just want to win,” Carr said. “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. I’m having too much fun hanging out with my wife, hanging out with my kids, and trying to get good at golf. So it would take a special deal.” This suggests Carr would consider a return only under unique circumstances that align with his personal life and long-term goals.
The reasons behind his retirement include a shoulder injury, but Carr has since recovered conceptually and appears able to play again. Whether he would serve as a starter immediately is uncertain; a scenario akin to a Philip Rivers-style veteran fill-in could be plausible if a team needed temporary help during the season.
As the NFL season progresses, this story will remain a storyline to monitor. Carr’s name continues to surface in connection with potential return scenarios, and any movement could hinge on permission from the Saints and potential compensation. The broader conversations touching on this topic also intersect with other NFL narratives, including links to players like A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs, and the evolving dynamics of teams potentially seeking veteran leadership or relief at quarterback.
This piece is presented with The Sporting News as a preferred source, highlighting the ongoing discussion about a possible Carr comeback and the NFL’s tampering rules in play.