Nearly a year after announcing his retirement from the NFL, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback could make a U-turn and return to the league, but there is a catch. Following a challenging shoulder injury, Derek Carr decided to call it a career, leaving the New Orleans Saints in a complex position with Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough in the quarterback room.

During Sunday’s edition of NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported that Carr could unretire ahead of the 2026 season. However, it would take the right situation to convince him to take the field again.

“As quarterback injuries mounted this season and into the playoffs, teams conducted due diligence on Carr, trying to gather information as to whether the former Saints franchise passer would consider coming out of retirement, sources tell The Insiders. The Bengals, for instance, contacted Carr after Joe Burrow went down with his turf toe injury.

“That work continues, and an offseason of quarterback uncertainty — with limited options in free agency, trades and the draft — makes Carr a possible solution in the right situation.”

New Orleans Saints still hold Derek Carr’s rights

While the New Orleans Saints still hold Derek Carr’s right, the team and the quarterback aren’t on bad terms. Tyler Shough showed flashes in 2025, and he looks like the clear candidate to lead the Saints for the future.

Given the way they worked through any salary-cap issues and the way things ended between them, it won’t be hard to imagine they would work things out again. At 34, he might have something left in the tank. It remains to be seen if the right situation shows up.

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