New Derek Carr Rumors on NFL Return and Injury Update After Retiring from Saints

Former Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is reportedly open to coming out of retirement should an enticing opportunity emerge this offseason.

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, sources have indicated that "the right situation and coaching staff could lure Carr back onto the field."

Carr retired following the 2024 season due in part to a torn labrum. After months of rest, Carr began rehabbing his shoulder during the 2025 season, and he eventually made throwing "part of his regular exercise routine."

Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo noted that Carr now has "no shoulder limitations."

Teams reportedly did their "due diligence" on Carr during the 2025 season regarding whether he would consider returning to the NFL, and the Cincinnati Bengals even contacted him when star quarterback Joe Burrow went on injured reserve with a toe injury, per Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo.

While a return didn't come to fruition, the 34-year-old veteran suddenly appears to be a potential option for quarterback-needy teams this offseason.

A 2014 second-round pick out of Fresno State, Carr spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Raiders and his final two seasons with the Saints.

All told, Carr went 77-92 as a starter over his 11-year career, completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

The four-time Pro Bowler is the Raiders' all-time leader in career passing yardage and passing touchdowns, and his 63 QB wins are second only to Hall of Famer Ken Stabler.

Injuries limited Carr to just 10 games in his final NFL season with the Saints in 2024, and he completed 67.7 percent of his passing attempts for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five picks.

Since Carr was under contract when he retired, the Saints still hold Carr's rights. That means the Saints would have to release or trade Carr if he wants to continue his career elsewhere.

A return to New Orleans seems unlikely since all signs point toward 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough being the team's starting quarterback in 2026 after he finished second in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.

According to Rapoport, Pelissero and Garafolo, Carr and his brother, David Carr, have joked on their Home Grown podcast about Derek returning to the Raiders.

That would be a familiar situation for Carr, not only because of his nine seasons with the Raiders, but also due to the fact that Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is expected to be hired as the team's next head coach, per ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t ESPN's Ryan McFadden).

Kubiak was Carr's OC when they were both members of the Saints organization in 2024.

It is unclear if the Raiders are a realistic option, though, since it is widely expected that they will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Several other NFL teams could have a need for a starting quarterback, though, including the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.