Derek Carr might not be done with football just yet.
After stepping away from the game following a brutal, injury-riddled 2024 season, the veteran quarterback is reportedly mulling a return to the NFL. And while nothing’s official, the whispers are starting to pick up steam - especially when it comes to one team in particular: the New York Jets.
According to multiple league insiders, Carr is actively considering a comeback. And the Jets, who are very much in the market for a starting quarterback this offseason, have already been linked to the former Raiders signal-caller. The dots connecting Carr to New York aren’t exactly subtle - and they got a little bolder earlier this week.
The Jets recently hired Bill Musgrave as their quarterbacks coach. That name should ring a bell for anyone who followed Carr’s career closely.
Musgrave was Carr’s offensive coordinator during his most productive stretch with the then-Oakland Raiders. In 2016, under Musgrave’s guidance, Carr posted MVP-caliber numbers and led the Raiders to a 12-4 record before a late-season injury derailed their playoff hopes.
That kind of familiarity - especially at the quarterback-coach level - matters in this league. A lot.
But the connections don’t stop there. Carr, who now co-hosts a podcast with his brother David Carr, recently had a clip resurface from a December episode that’s only adding fuel to the fire. In it, Carr shared a story that, while lighthearted, shows some genuine affection for Jets fans - and maybe a hint of admiration for the organization.
“I love Aaron Glenn,” Carr said, referring to the former Jets cornerback and current NFL coach. “Aaron Glenn is a good friend.
Love Aaron Glenn. I talk to him whenever it's viable… I love him, but I also love Jet fans.”
Carr went on to tell a story about throwing a game-winning touchdown against the Jets, which ended up hurting New York’s draft position - a moment that, surprisingly, led to an outpouring of gratitude from Jets fans. Why? Because Carr had pledged to donate to Valley Children’s Hospital, and Jets fans - despite being on the losing end of that play - flooded the hospital with donations in appreciation.
“So, Jet fans, I love you,” Carr said. “Thank you for helping the kids.”
It’s a small moment, but one that speaks volumes about the kind of connection Carr might already feel with the Jets community. And in a league where relationships and familiarity often drive personnel decisions, it’s not hard to see why the Carr-to-New-York conversation is gaining traction.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go before anything becomes official. Carr would have to be medically cleared and fully committed to returning, and the Jets would need to decide if he’s the right fit for their offense - especially with other quarterback options potentially on the market.
But the pieces are there. A team in need.
A veteran quarterback with something left to prove. And a coach who knows exactly how to get the best out of him.
This one’s worth watching.