Three years back, the New York Jets were eyeing Derek Carr, only to pivot towards Aaron Rodgers. Now, as the NFL converges on Indianapolis for the combine, the buzz is all about Carr potentially coming out of retirement in 2026.
Carr, who retired last May due to shoulder issues, is reportedly considering a comeback. According to Jordan Schultz, there’s a strong belief that Carr is quite serious about returning to the NFL. His rights are still held by the Saints, but teams with championship aspirations are keenly interested in the four-time Pro Bowler.
The Jets emerge as a prime candidate in this scenario. With a glaring need for a quarterback, Carr's potential arrival would be significant. His 257 career touchdown passes would eclipse Joe Namath’s franchise record by a wide margin.
Though the Jets might not be the top choice for a championship run, they offer Carr a prime opportunity to start. With no plans to draft a quarterback in the top 15 this year, Carr could find himself with little competition for the starting job.
Adding intrigue is the Jets’ quarterbacks coach, Bill Musgrave, who previously worked with Carr in Oakland, guiding him to his first Pro Bowls.
Carr has expressed admiration for the Jets, praising their head coach and star receiver Garrett Wilson on his podcast. His friendly ties with Jets coach Aaron Glenn and his appreciation for the fans only fuel the speculation.
As the combine rumors swirl, the prospect of Carr donning a Jets uniform is becoming more than just offseason chatter-it’s shaping up as a genuine possibility.