Derek Carr’s retirement could be brief.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz said Wednesday in an X post “there’s a strong belief” that Carr is seriously thinking about un-retiring and returning to the NFL in 2026.
He added that Carr’s rights still belong to his most recent team, the New Orleans Saints, so any squad wanting to pick him up would likely have to cough up some draft picks.
However, with the recent emergence of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, the Saints wouldn’t stand in his way of signing elsewhere, NFL Network said.
Schultz’s news comes after reports earlier this month that Carr, 34, would consider unretiring if presented with the right situation. Carr added to that four days later, saying that he’d be open to a return but only if he’s healthy and gets an opportunity from a true Super Bowl contender.
That follows the same sentiment that his brother, David, expressed in October when asked about Carr’s potential return.
David mentioned that his brother was apprehensive about joining a team with an injured signal caller last year.
“I don’t know if Derek would feel comfortable being in a situation where, say he was to enter in a team situation where the quarterback was hurt and he drove them all the way in, they got into the playoffs, and then he had to go sit on the sidelines,” David said.
Several teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, reportedly reached out to Carr last season as well.
Carr decided to shockingly retire last May due to a shoulder injury, citing that he didn’t want to “just take the Saints’ money” as he missed an entire season.
In his time off, though, his shoulder has fully healed after undergoing surgery, and he’s stayed in shape.
Before signing a four-year, $150 million deal with New Orleans in 2023, Carr spent the first nine years of his career with the Raiders.
He made the Pro Bowl four times, including three in a row from 2015-17, and finished third in the MVP voting in 2016. That season, he had nearly 4,000 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns.
Carr spent two years with the Saints before his supposed retirement. He had a strong first season before his second campaign was shortened due to numerous injuries.
He finished with a 14-13 record in New Orleans.
In his career, he’s accumulated 41,125 yards and 257 touchdowns through the air.
Maybe he can add to that in 2026.
