Derek Carr isn’t closing the door on an NFL return, and he made that much clear Friday from Lake Tahoe.
The former Raiders quarterback, who retired after a shoulder injury and has not played in the NFL since 2024, said there’s still a path back for him - but only under the right circumstances. Carr, now 35, appeared on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football during the American Century Championship golf tournament and told co-host Jamie Erdahl that he has already heard from multiple teams this offseason.
“I'll never say never,” Carr said. “It would take a special situation.
There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason. I won’t say who or how, but they reached out and were gauging my interest on what I wanted to do ...
They were good, solid football teams.
“I’m just at the point where I just want to win. I want to win.
So if I were to do it, it would have to be a special team that maybe lost somebody or needed somebody, but even then, it’s not guaranteed,” Carr said. “I’m having too much fun hanging out with my wife, hanging out with my kids, and trying to get good at golf.
So it would take a special deal.
“But I ’ m always training,” Carr said. “I’ll be in shape and ready, but probably not. I’ll probably be just coaching my kids.”
Carr’s comments fit the picture that has followed him since his abrupt retirement: he hasn’t totally ruled out coming back, but he also sounds comfortable staying away from football. Earlier this offseason, reports said the shoulder injury that pushed him into retirement was no longer a major issue, and the Cincinnati Bengals were reportedly interested in him after losing Joe Burrow last season before they traded for Joe Flacco instead.
Still, Carr’s message was pretty clear. He said teams have checked in, but any return would need to be tied to a very specific situation. And even then, he left plenty of room for the answer to remain no.
For now, Carr says he’s focused on family, golf and staying ready - just in case.
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