Derek Carr isn’t slamming the door on an NFL return. The former Saints quarterback, who spent 2025 on the sidelines after New Orleans moved on, told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo he’d consider coming back in 2026. But only under the right circumstances.
“I’ll never say never,” Carr said. “It would take a special situation. There are multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason. And I won’t say who or how. They reached and (gauged) my interest and what I wanted to do. They were good solid football teams.”
Carr isn’t exactly itching to play just anywhere. After 11 seasons in the league, he’s had three winning records. His career mark sits at 77-92. That’s not great. He knows it.
“I think I’m just at the point where I just want to win, man,” Carr said. “If I were to do it, it would have to be a special team. But even then, it’s no guarantee. I’m having too much fun hanging out with my wife. Hanging out with my kids. And trying to get good at golf.”
What Would Qualify as a Special Team?
The bar here is basically a contender that loses its quarterback midseason. Think Philip Rivers getting the call from the Colts last year. That’s the model. A team that’s one QB away from making a real run and needs a veteran to step in and not screw it up.
Carr says he’s staying ready. He’s 34 now, will be 35 by next season. That’s younger than Rivers was when he got that shot. Carr’s training isn’t just about football though. He’s got four boys at home.
“I’m always training,” he said. “I got to. I got four boys that can’t beat me up when they’re 18. I gotta keep training. I’ll be in shape and ready.”
For what it’s worth, Carr has the resume to warrant a look. He threw for 41,245 yards over his career, with 257 touchdowns and 112 picks. Four Pro Bowls, the last in 2022 with the Raiders. That’s not Hall of Fame stuff, but it’s a lot better than most backup options sitting on couches in January.
So the answer here is yes, Carr has plans to come back. Sort of. He’s got a condition on it. A Super Bowl winning team with a busted QB and a need for a warm body who won’t panic. If that phone rings, he’ll pick up. If not, he’s fine chasing pars and taking the kids to school.
It’s a weird spot for a guy who started 11 years and made over $150 million. But that’s where Carr is. Waiting. Watching. And apparently getting pretty decent with a 7-iron.
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