Feb. 12, 2026, 6:01 a.m. PT
The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to turn over a new leaf at quarterback. The overwhelming expectation is that they are going to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft. Meanwhile, a former Raiders quarterback is making headlines for surprising reasons.
Derek Carr quarterbacked the Raiders for nine seasons (2014-22). He then joined the New Orleans Saints for two years (2023-24) before announcing his retirement prior to the 2025 campaign. Now, Carr is apparently weighing a return to the NFL, with insider Ian Rapoport reporting that he’d be willing to come out of retirement for the right opportunity.
What does Carr deem the right opportunity? It’s interesting that the New York Jets, who barely lost the Mendoza sweepstakes to the Raiders, recently hired former Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave to be their QB coach. Carr has a great relationship with Musgrave, and the Jets need a quarterback.
Carr is the Raiders’ all-time passing yards leader with 35,222. He’ll forever be etched in franchise history. It’s interesting to hear Carr’s weighing a comeback, but his decision will have no bearing on the Raiders’ quarterback plans. Mendoza and Klint Kubiak are the way forward.
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