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New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr throwing a pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams.
A new quarterback option has emerged for the New York Jets this offseason.
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo revealed that New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is pondering coming out of retirement.
“Teams are serious about it,” Garafolo explained.
Ahead of the NFL trade deadline this past season, Garafolo said “teams conducted due diligence on Carr, trying to gather information as to whether the former Saints franchise passer would consider coming out of retirement.”
He’s joked about it and alluded to it. Teams are serious about it, though. Derek Carr has, and will continue to, receive inquiries from QB-needy clubs about a return in 2026. Why he might entertain it. From The Insiders:
Understanding the Carr Situation This Offseason
Last year, Carr walked away from the NFL.
The former Fresno State product is 34 years of age, and he will turn 35 before the start of the 2026 season. One of the reasons Carr decided to walk away was health-related.
“Carr decided to retire last May due to a labral tear in his shoulder and damage to his rotator cuff, which could have been repaired via surgery but would’ve put his season in jeopardy. Since then, Carr took several months off to rest, and sources say his shoulder has responded well, leading Carr to slowly begin rehabbing as the season unfolded. His shoulder has now improved to the point where he is throwing fully as part of his regular exercise routine. Teams have learned Carr currently has no shoulder limitations,” Garafolo wrote.
According to Spotrac, Carr had two years remaining on his $150 million contract last offseason. The Saints still hold his contractual rights. So if Carr wants to return to the game of football, he will have to work with New Orleans to make that happen.
“The Saints could ask for compensation in a trade, though the price surely wouldn’t be an unreasonable ask for a player who has no future in New Orleans,” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said.
Jets Have Pursued Carr in the Past
During the 2023 offseason, the Jets aggressively pursued Carr.
After the Las Vegas Raiders unceremoniously released him, Carr met with the Jets several times that offseason.
The green and white were nearly all in. However, the potential availability of Aaron Rodgers threw a wrench in their pursuit of Carr.
Despite some serious flirtations, the Jets opted for Rodgers instead. That failed miserably, and now the Jets could have a second chance at pursuing Carr.
He is a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. In his 11-year NFL career, Carr has completed 65.1% of his passes, has thrown for 41,245 passing yards, and has a 257 touchdown to 112 interception ratio.
On Carr’s podcast, “Home Grown with David & Derek Carr”, Derek said he “Always [has] love for Jets fans!”
Jets Have Limited Options This Offseason
A potential second pursuit of Carr was met with mixed reactions on Jets’ social media.
“Please stop with the Carr to NYJ stuff – it was a bad idea with the Salah regime 3 years ago – prior to him, tearing up his shoulder and retiring…,” Dom C. posted.
Please stop with the Carr to NYJ stuff – it was a bad idea with the Salah regime 3 years ago – prior to him, tearing up his shoulder and retiring…
“Many Jets fans won’t like it, but, there is a world where Derek Carr as a bridge option would be something that could make sense. The reality is, the Jets aren’t likely to find a long term answer until 2027,” Paul Fiore explained.
Many #Jets fans won’t like it, but, there is a world where Derek Carr as a bridge option would be something that could make sense. The reality is, the Jets aren’t likely to find a long term answer until 2027. https://t.co/ss1UbskEOo
— Paul Fiore (@PaulFiore) February 8, 2026
The fact of the matter is, the Jets need a quarterback. Options are extremely limited in free agency and the trade market.
Carr would be a significant upgrade over what the Jets currently have. He should totally be in consideration this offseason for the green and white.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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