Veteran Quarterback Derek Carr Considering An NFL Return For 2026 Season
When Derek Carr retired before the 2025 season, most Saints fans probably had a complicated reaction. Relief, maybe. A little sadness. And somewhere in the back of their minds, the quiet hope that Tyler Shough would be good enough to make everyone forget about it. Shough was good enough. And now Carr wants back in.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz dropped a report today that sent the football world buzzing: Carr is “very serious” about unretiring and returning to the NFL in 2026. Multiple quarterback-needy teams are paying attention. And the Saints? They’re sitting back, hoping someone writes them a check.
Why Carr Walked Away In the First Place
This wasn’t some dramatic exit. Carr didn’t storm out. He retired in May of 2025, citing a torn labrum and rotator cuff issues in his right shoulder. That’s not a small thing. That’s the kind of injury that makes a guy question whether throwing a football for a living is worth it anymore.
He spent the better part of a year recovering, spending time with his family, and apparently thinking hard about whether he had anything left to prove. Based on everything coming out now, the answer is yes.
Carr addressed the comeback speculation directly on his brother’s podcast, Home Grown with David & Derek Carr, and didn’t mince words: “Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not… I would have to be healthy, and I would want a chance to win a Super Bowl.”
That’s not a man who’s content sitting on the couch. That’s a competitor with unfinished business.
What Carr Would Actually Bring To the Table
Before we get carried away, let’s remember who Carr is. A four-time Pro Bowler. A guy who, in his final 10 games as a Saint, threw for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions. He opened the 2024 season throwing for 443 yards and 5 touchdowns over the first two games alone. Then the injuries hit.
But here’s the thing — if he comes back healthy, he’s still a legitimate NFL starter. The 2026 quarterback market is reportedly thin. The draft class at the position isn’t exactly inspiring. A healthy, motivated Carr with Super Bowl aspirations is going to generate real interest from real contenders.
New Orleans Holds the Cards — And Knows It
Here’s where it gets interesting from a Saints perspective. Carr still has two years left on the four-year deal he signed with New Orleans back in 2023. His rights belong to the Saints. Any team that wants Carr has to go through New Orleans first.
The Saints have zero intention of starting him in 2026. Shough is their guy. He went 5-4 as a starter during his rookie season, threw for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions across 11 games. It wasn’t a Hall of Fame debut, but it was enough. New Orleans has made their choice.
So what does a potential return actually mean for the Saints? A free draft pick. Schultz put it plainly: from the Saints’ standpoint, trading Carr “would essentially be a free draft pick.”
The Only Question That Matters: Is Carr Healthy?
Everything hinges on this. Carr isn’t coming back to hand off the ball and manage a game. He said himself — he wants a Super Bowl shot. That means he needs to be the guy. That means his shoulder has to hold up through a full season.
He’s had over a year to rest and rehabilitate. By all accounts, he believes he’s ready. The teams sniffing around apparently believe it too. Nobody’s seriously interested in trading for a broken quarterback. If he passes the physical and a contender likes what they see, this thing moves fast.
What Happens Next
The Saints can’t force Carr to unretire, and they can’t force a trade. But they can wait, stay patient, and let the market come to them. If even one playoff-caliber team decides Carr is their missing piece, New Orleans walks away with a pick they didn’t have yesterday.
For a franchise rebuilding around a young quarterback and needing every resource it can find, that’s a gift. He spent years trying to deliver for New Orleans. He came close. The injuries had other ideas. Now, on his way out the door for good, he might end up doing the Saints one final favor. Not by playing for them, but by playing for someone else.
