Derek Carr's Rep Reportedly Spoke with at Least 2 Teams Before QB's NFL Retirement

Before deciding to retire from the NFL after 11 seasons, Derek Carr's camp was putting feelers out to other teams to gauge their interest in adding the veteran quarterback.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Katherine Terrell, a representative for Carr spoke with at least two quarterback-needy teams about their potential interest in him.

Fowler and Terrell noted one of their sources classified the contact as "indirect," but both teams were aware Carr "might be looking" for a new organization if he could leave the New Orleans Saints.

It was also explained the Saints never gave Carr written permission to speak with other teams, though they didn't view the flirtation with other teams as a big issue:

"A Saints source said no permission was given in writing for Carr to speak to other teams. A separate Saints source said the team heard whispers of Carr's flirtation with other teams but didn't consider it a major issue, in part because Carr, after 11 years in the league and playing through injuries, had earned the right to evaluate his future. Outside talks never reached a serious point, according to sources who have familiarity with the conversations."

There had been rumblings that Carr wasn't entirely happy in New Orleans. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football reported on March 28 that the four-time Pro Bowler sought a trade before restructuring his contract.

Given the cap ramifications for the Saints, including more than $40 million in dead money before a restructure, it seemed highly unlikely any trade would happen. It was obvious when he did restructure on March 8 that no move was coming.

Fowler and Terrell noted one Saints person explained Carr's frustration with the organization may have been tied to his "kinship" with the offensive staff from last season that included offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko.

Neither Kubiak nor Janocko were brought back after the Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen and replaced him with Kellen Moore.

The situation took a turn on April 11 when NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Carr was dealing with a shoulder injury that left his status for the 2025 season up in the air.

Carr surprised many people on May 10 when he announced his retirement. The Saints said in a statement Carr suffered a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff that were discovered in medical scans after he experienced pain during his ramp-up period in March.

The statement noted Carr's 2025 season would have been jeopardized if he had surgery, and there was no guarantee his shoulder would return to the same level of strength, function and performance of play.

Despite the odd timing and circumstances around Carr's announcement, any talk of him playing again in 2026 is being downplayed. His brother, David, said Tuesday on NFL Network that Derek is "definitely done" playing based on the conversations they have had.

Carr was entering the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract he signed with the Saints as a free agent in March 2023. He threw for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 27 games with New Orleans over the past two seasons.