Derek Carr might not be done with football just yet.
The longtime NFL quarterback, who stepped away from the game last year following a shoulder injury, is now leaving the door open for a potential return-under the right circumstances. Speaking on his podcast, Carr made it clear he’s not ruling out a comeback, but any return would have to check two very specific boxes: health and a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl.
“Would I do it? Yes.
Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not,” Carr said.
“I have to be healthy, and I’d want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously, that’s a tough thing to find.
That’s hard to do. That’s not easy.”
Carr’s words don’t sound like a guy chasing just any opportunity. After 11 seasons in the league, he’s not looking to be a stopgap starter or a mentor holding a clipboard. If he comes back, it’s to compete-at a high level, with a team that has the pieces in place to make a deep postseason run.
Carr initially retired after a shoulder injury that would have required surgery and likely sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Rather than go through a long rehab process with an uncertain outcome, he chose to walk away from the game. At the time, he had been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a potential quarterback option, but nothing materialized before he made his decision to retire.
Now, with his health no longer a question mark, Carr is at least surveying the NFL landscape. And while there’s no indication he’s actively seeking a deal, his comments suggest he’s open to the idea if the right opportunity presents itself.
One team that could be worth watching? The Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers spent the 2025 season with Aaron Rodgers under center, and by all accounts, he remains the team’s top option moving forward. But Rodgers’ future is always a bit of a question mark. If he decides to retire-or pursue a new chapter elsewhere-Carr could become a name to watch in Pittsburgh’s quarterback conversation once again.
It’s a long way from a done deal, but Carr’s re-emergence adds another layer to what’s already shaping up to be an intriguing offseason for quarterback movement. He’s not just another veteran looking for one last shot-he’s a proven starter who’s made it clear he’s only coming back if there’s a real chance to win.
And in a league where quarterback depth is always at a premium, that kind of clarity might be exactly what a contending team needs.