New Derek Carr Rumors Reveal Top Potential Landing Spot in NFL FA amid Return Buzz

As rumors of Derek Carr's potential return to the NFL continue to circulate, reports of a potential landing spot emerged Sunday.

Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reported Carr would want to come back to play for a "contender" if he does return and cited the Minnesota Vikings as a team there was "a lot of talk" about during the NFL Scouting Combine.

Carr has not played since the 2024 season when he started 10 games for the New Orleans Saints, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained he is still on the NFC South team's reserve-retired list.

That means if he does come back for another club, that team will have to work out a trade with New Orleans for it to happen. Notably, Florio reported Saturday that no team had yet reached out to the Saints regarding Carr.

Carr retired because of a labral tear in his shoulder and rotator cuff damage.

However, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported last month that several months of rest and some rehab has led to such drastic improvement that "he is throwing fully as part of his regular exercise routine. Teams have learned Carr currently has no shoulder limitations."

There was a time when Carr was a surefire starter in the NFL as a four-time Pro Bowler with four seasons of more than 4,000 passing yards on his resume.

Yet the injury concerns and time away would surely lead to more question marks, especially since he will turn 35 years old this month. 

Still, the Vikings could use more stability and depth at the quarterback position. Carson Wentz is scheduled for free agency this offseason, while J.J. McCarthy looked like anything but the long-term answer last season while throwing 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

The Michigan product missed his rookie campaign in 2024 with injury and struggled with consistency during his first season on the field. Minnesota would surely like to give him more time to live up to expectations, but it also has enough talent at other positions that it could be a serious playoff contender with even decent quarterback play.

Perhaps that will inspire it to further explore a Carr return even if there are still steps to clear.