The Minnesota Vikings are heading into another pivotal offseason, and once again, the quarterback position is at the center of it all. After handing the reins to J.J. McCarthy last year, the team is expected to bring in a veteran quarterback-what kind of veteran they choose will speak volumes about how they truly view McCarthy’s trajectory in Minnesota.
Are they looking for someone to push McCarthy in camp, maybe a Mac Jones or Marcus Mariota type? Or are they eyeing a more drastic move-someone who could step in and take over the job entirely, like a Joe Burrow or Kyler Murray? While recent reports have cooled the idea of Jones or Burrow being available, there’s renewed buzz around a potential reunion with Kirk Cousins, especially with the Atlanta Falcons reportedly planning to move on from him.
One name that’s no longer in the mix: Aaron Rodgers. That door appears to be firmly shut, especially now that former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has landed in Pittsburgh as the Steelers’ new head coach.
The challenge for Minnesota-and really, for any team in need of a quarterback this offseason-is the shallow pool of available talent. The free agent and trade markets aren’t exactly overflowing with difference-makers. And for a team like the Vikings, who might’ve won the NFC North this past season with just average quarterback play, that makes every option worth exploring, even the ones that don’t immediately jump off the page.
Enter Derek Carr.
On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo floated Carr’s name as a potential option for quarterback-needy teams, including the Vikings. Carr, who retired after the 2024 season following a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, has reportedly made significant progress in his recovery. According to Rapoport, Carr is now throwing regularly as part of his workouts and has “no shoulder limitations,” per teams that have checked in.
That’s a notable development, especially considering that multiple teams reportedly did their homework on Carr during the 2025 season when quarterback injuries were piling up. The Bengals, for example, reached out in October after Joe Burrow went down, before ultimately trading for Joe Flacco. They weren’t alone-other teams also kicked the tires, but whether Carr wasn’t ready or simply wasn’t interested at the time, nothing materialized.
And here’s the wrinkle: the Saints still hold Carr’s rights. But according to Rapoport, that’s unlikely to be a major roadblock. The parting between Carr and New Orleans was reportedly amicable, and while the Saints could ask for trade compensation, the price tag wouldn’t be steep-especially for a player with no future in the Big Easy.
Of course, Carr isn’t just going to unretire for any situation. He’s made it clear he’s enjoying life off the field, spending time with family and diving into new projects.
But he also knows the interest is there. And if the right opportunity presents itself-with the right team, system, and coaching staff-it sounds like Carr would at least consider coming back.
If Minnesota is serious about exploring every option to solidify the quarterback room, Carr deserves a long look. He’s 35 in March, but over two seasons with the Saints, he completed 68 percent of his passes with 40 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions. That’s efficient, veteran-level quarterbacking-exactly what the Vikings lacked in key moments last season.
McCarthy may still be the long-term plan, but Kevin O’Connell and the front office know they need stability now. Whether that means adding a mentor, a bridge, or even a potential starter remains to be seen. But Carr, with his experience and current health status, suddenly looks like a real possibility.
This offseason, the Vikings need to leave no stone unturned. And Derek Carr? He just became one of those stones worth flipping over.