Derek Carr may have stepped away from the NFL before the 2025 season, but his name is still very much in the quarterback conversation-especially now, with teams gearing up for offseason moves and looking for stability under center. The former Saints quarterback retired with a 14-13 record in New Orleans, a run that left more questions than answers for a franchise that’s been searching for consistency since the Drew Brees era ended.
Carr’s decision to retire was influenced in part by a lingering shoulder injury that would’ve likely limited him in 2025. But now, with a year off to rest and recover, the 35-year-old quarterback is reportedly feeling optimistic about his future-and NFL teams are taking notice. He’s not officially back yet, but if Carr were to unretire, the Saints could find themselves in a position to cash in on a quarterback they no longer need.
New Orleans has moved on. Tyler Shough is locked in as the starter, and Spencer Rattler has carved out a solid role as the backup.
That leaves Carr as a potential trade chip-albeit a unique one, considering he’s technically retired. Still, if a team believes he’s healthy and motivated, the Saints could realistically expect a mid-round draft pick in return, likely somewhere between the third and fifth rounds.
For a player who’s not part of their future plans, that’s a win.
So who might pick up the phone?
The Bengals are an obvious candidate. After Joe Burrow went down with an injury last season, Cincinnati reportedly reached out to Carr’s camp.
That interest didn’t materialize into anything at the time, but it signals the Bengals are open to adding a veteran presence behind Burrow-especially one with Carr’s experience and poise. If they circle back this offseason, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Another intriguing possibility? A reunion in Las Vegas.
The Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are widely expected to take Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, the reigning national champion and a quarterback with sky-high potential. But even with a rookie on the way, the Raiders could look to bring in a veteran mentor-and the dots connect pretty cleanly here.
Klint Kubiak, who was Carr’s offensive coordinator in New Orleans in 2024, is set to take over as Las Vegas’ head coach after the Super Bowl. That familiarity could be a key factor if the Raiders want a steady hand to help bridge the gap for Mendoza.
Then there’s Minnesota. The Vikings moved on from Sam Darnold and handed the reins to J.J.
McCarthy, but the results have been mixed. Meanwhile, Darnold found success in Seattle, and the Vikings are reportedly not entirely sold on McCarthy as the long-term answer.
If Carr’s shoulder checks out and he shows he can still make all the throws, Minnesota could be in the market for a proven veteran who can push McCarthy or even take over if needed.
The big question, of course, is whether Carr wants back in-and whether he’s physically ready to handle the grind of another NFL season. But if those boxes are checked, there’s no shortage of teams that could use a quarterback with his experience, leadership, and locker room presence.
For the Saints, who’ve already turned the page, the chance to turn a retired QB into valuable draft capital would be a savvy move. For Carr, it could be the opportunity to write one more chapter in a career that’s seen its share of ups and downs-but still has the potential for a strong finish.