Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 19, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly very serious about coming out of retirement and returning to the NFL for the 2026 season. However, there seems to be a lack of interest in helping Carr do just that.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Saints have yet to receive any interest in acquiring Carr via a trade.
“To date, the Saints have not heard (we’re told) from any team that wants to make a deal for Carr,” Florio wrote. “If no option emerges before the trade deadline, Carr may need to ask the Saints to release his rights, which would position him to sign with someone as a free agent.”
Carr, 34, would certainly come at a risk. He announced his retirement from the Saints last spring after he suffered a labral tear in his rotator cuff. He opted not to have surgery, but he would have missed the entire 2025 season if he got it, anyway.
However, Carr believes he is healthy enough to help a Super Bowl contender get over the hump.
“Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not,” Carr said on the Home Grown with David & Derek Carr podcast. “Would I do it. Absolutely, I would. I told you two things: I have to be healthy, and I’d want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously, that’s a tough thing to find. That’s hard to do. That’s not easy.”
There has been a lot of speculation as to what Carr’s market would look like after throwing for just 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games before his 2024 season was ended due to injuries.
November 8 2015: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) drops back to pass during the first half in the game between the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Photo by Justin Berl/Icon Sportswire)
It seems he is know getting his answer, and even the quarterback-needy Steelers are unwilling to give up any capital to acquire him.
That could change if quarterback Aaron Rodgers decides not to return in 2026 or the Saints are willing to grant him a release, but they will likely try to hold onto him as long as they can in hopes of getting something in return.
A second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Raiders, Carr has thrown for 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions in his professional career.
Mentioned In This Article: Derek Carr New Orleans Saints Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers