The NFL rumor mill is spinning at full speed as Derek Carr, the former New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback, has publicly addressed speculation about a potential return to football. After sitting out the 2025 season to recover from a nagging shoulder injury, Carr confirmed on the latest episode of “Home Grown with David & Derek Carr” that he is indeed open to making a comeback—under the right circumstances.

“Moral of the story, would I come back? The answer obviously is yes,” Carr said, sitting alongside his brother David on their YouTube show. “Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not.” Carr went on to explain, “I told you two things, I’d have to be healthy and want a chance to win a Super Bowl.” That’s a bold statement for a quarterback who’s never won a playoff game, but Carr’s confidence is unwavering. The Saints, meanwhile, still hold the final year of his contract after placing him on the retired list last summer, which means any team interested in acquiring Carr will have to negotiate a trade with New Orleans.

With the quarterback carousel always in motion in the NFL, Carr’s potential return has spurred plenty of discussion about which teams might make a play for the four-time Pro Bowler. As reported on February 13, 2026, the Saints are in a strong negotiating position. They own Carr’s rights and can afford to be patient, perhaps even a little “stingy,” as one analyst put it, in trade talks. So, what might a trade for Carr actually look like? And which teams are likely to pick up the phone?

Let’s start with the possible landing spots. The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as a logical destination. With Aaron Rodgers’s future in question—he’s 42 and may retire—the Steelers are reportedly eyeing veteran quarterbacks who can stabilize their offense. Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh’s head coach, has a reputation for getting the best out of experienced passers. As noted in recent coverage, “McCarthy has shown that he can work well with veteran quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers won two MVPs while playing for McCarthy in Green Bay, and let’s not forget about Dak Prescott, who finished second in the MVP race in 2023 while playing for McCarthy in Dallas.” Carr may not have the same accolades, but his experience could make him a valuable bridge starter for Pittsburgh if Rodgers hangs up his cleats.

The Indianapolis Colts are another intriguing possibility. Their current starter, Daniel Jones, suffered a devastating injury in December 2025. His status for the start of the 2026 season is up in the air, and with free agency looming, the Colts could be in the market for a veteran to hold down the fort. Carr, who has “proven one thing in his career, it’s that he can be successful when he has some great offensive talent around him,” might thrive behind the Colts’ solid offensive line and with weapons like Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman at his disposal.

Don’t count out the Minnesota Vikings, either. After a tumultuous 2025 campaign that saw multiple quarterbacks rotating under center, the Vikings are desperate for stability. The team boasts a potent arsenal of receivers, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. As one report highlighted, “If you give Carr the right weapons, he generally does pretty well, and the Vikings have some receiving weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.” Carr would likely have to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, but with Minnesota’s recent struggles, he could be the veteran presence they need to return to playoff contention.

The Kansas City Chiefs, too, have entered the conversation—albeit under unusual circumstances. Patrick Mahomes, the team’s superstar quarterback, tore his ACL in mid-December 2025. While Mahomes is expected to return, his exact timeline remains uncertain. The Chiefs could bring in Carr as a short-term starter, allowing Mahomes to fully recover without rushing back. For Carr, playing even a handful of games for a perennial Super Bowl contender might be just the opportunity he’s seeking.

And then there’s the Atlanta Falcons, a true wild card in the Carr sweepstakes. The Falcons have Michael Penix Jr. on the roster, but new team president Matt Ryan has been noncommittal about Penix’s future as the starter. A deal for Carr would require a trade with the Saints, Atlanta’s bitter NFC South rivals—a scenario that’s far from straightforward, but not out of the question. As Matt Ryan told CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones, “Kevin’s responsibility is to be the head coach of the football team and he’s going to let you know who our starters are and who our starters are not. It’s not my place to go in there.” If the Falcons can get past the rivalry hurdle, Carr could provide the stability and leadership they’ve lacked in recent seasons.

Of course, any team interested in Carr will have to meet the Saints’ asking price. Analysts have looked to recent quarterback trades for benchmarks. The 2025 offseason saw several notable moves: Geno Smith was dealt from the Seahawks to the Raiders for a third-round pick; Joe Flacco went to Cincinnati for a fifth-rounder; and Kenny Pickett was traded twice, each time fetching a fifth-round pick. The consensus is that while Carr’s situation is unique—he’s coming out of retirement and carries significant experience—the Saints are unlikely to land a third-round pick as they did for Smith. Instead, most predictions point to a package centered around a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. As one analyst put it, “Any gain will be a win for the Saints. Carr was originally retired and not taking up space on the Saints roster, so getting a capital for a player not a part of your team is a success.”

It’s worth noting that Carr’s return isn’t a foregone conclusion. He’s made it clear he’ll only suit up if he’s healthy and has a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl run. “That’s hard to do. That’s not easy,” Carr admitted on his podcast. His brother David added, “Unless you’re trying to make a run at this thing, the confetti falling, the Lombardi in the sky, that’s what we’re after.” For teams on the cusp of contention, Carr represents a tantalizing option. For others, he’s likely to pass.

As the NFL offseason heats up, all eyes are on New Orleans and Derek Carr. Will a playoff contender step up and meet the Saints’ price? Will Carr’s shoulder hold up for one more run at glory? The next few weeks promise plenty of intrigue as the league waits to see if one of its most experienced quarterbacks is truly ready to lace up his cleats again. For now, the only certainty is that the Derek Carr sweepstakes are officially underway.