Colts Eyeing Derek Carr as Potential Insurance Policy for Daniel Jones’ Recovery
The Indianapolis Colts may be looking to the past to secure their future - and Derek Carr’s name is once again surfacing in connection with the franchise. With uncertainty swirling around Daniel Jones’ health heading into the 2026 season, the Colts are reportedly among the teams considering Carr as a veteran stopgap option under center.
Let’s unpack why this makes sense - and what it could mean for the Colts’ quarterback room moving forward.
Jones’ Recovery Timeline: A Race Against the Clock
Daniel Jones had a strong debut season in Indianapolis, showing flashes of the dynamic playmaker the Colts hoped they were getting. But a torn Achilles in Week 14 brought his campaign to a sudden halt - and now, his availability for Week 1 of 2026 is very much in question.
Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult for quarterbacks to bounce back from quickly, especially late-season ones. Just look at recent examples: Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins both returned for Week 1 the following year after their Achilles tears in 2023, but their injuries happened much earlier in the season. Jones went down in mid-December - a much tighter window for recovery.
Even more pressing: Jones is a pending free agent. The Colts have to make a decision on whether to re-sign him - and if they do, they’ll need a contingency plan in case he’s not ready to go by September.
Enter Derek Carr: A Veteran Option With Upside
That’s where Derek Carr could come into play. The veteran quarterback retired last May after dealing with lingering shoulder and rotator cuff issues that would’ve required offseason surgery.
But Carr hasn’t been entirely out of the picture. In fact, the Colts reportedly reached out to him previously - before opting to bring Philip Rivers out of retirement instead.
Now, with another uncertain offseason under center, Carr’s name is back in the mix.
Carr’s final season in 2024 with the Saints showed he still had something left in the tank. He completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 10 starts. Those are solid numbers, especially considering the circumstances - and they suggest Carr could still be effective in the right situation.
The Colts might just be that situation.
Why Indianapolis Makes Sense for Carr
If Carr is going to make a return, he’ll want to land somewhere with a strong supporting cast - and Indianapolis checks a lot of boxes. The offensive line is stout, Jonathan Taylor remains one of the league’s most explosive backs, and the receiving corps is anchored by Michael Pittman, with emerging talent like tight end Tyler Warren adding depth.
This is a team built to support a quarterback - not ask him to carry the entire load. That’s the kind of setup where Carr has historically thrived.
A one-year deal could allow Carr to bridge the gap until Jones is fully healthy, giving the Colts a stable veteran presence while avoiding a longer-term commitment. And if Jones isn’t ready by Week 1 - or needs time to regain his mobility - Carr could be a valuable insurance policy.
The Ripple Effect in the QB Room
Of course, bringing in Carr would have consequences for the rest of the Colts’ quarterback depth chart.
Most notably, it could signal the end of the line for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. The former first-rounder has struggled to stay healthy and find consistency, and with salary cap constraints in play, the Colts may not be able to carry both Richardson and Carr as backups to Jones.
Then there’s Riley Leonard, the ascending second-year quarterback who showed promise in limited action. If Carr signs, Leonard likely gets bumped back to third-string - a developmental role that may be his ceiling in the short term, regardless of what happens with Richardson.
What’s Next?
Right now, Jones and his camp are hopeful he’ll be ready for the start of training camp. But hope doesn’t guarantee health - especially with an injury this serious. If his recovery timeline pushes closer to the start of the regular season, the Colts will need to be prepared.
Carr offers a logical solution: a proven veteran who can step in, steady the ship, and keep the offense humming until Jones is ready to retake the reins.
It’s not a flashy move, but it could be a smart one - and in a league where quarterback depth is more important than ever, the Colts appear to be weighing their options carefully.
Stay tuned. This could be one of the more intriguing under-the-radar quarterback storylines of the offseason.