Teams who are looking to sustain drives may be in need of a Carr.
Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr is mulling a return, according to reports. NFL Media says that Carr could unretire for the ‘right situation and coaching staff.’
Carr, 34, retired in the lead up to the 2025 season as he nursed and rehabbed from shoulder surgery. Weeks earlier, the Saints would draft Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, putting into question the future of the Carr era in New Orleans. As it turns out, it didn’t last much longer.
Now, the veteran passer may consider a return to the field, and if nothing else, teams may view him as an intriguing bridge option or a stop-gap veteran who could provide a modicum of stability for otherwise unbalanced QB rooms.
If Carr is serious about a return, where could he land? Here are a few spots that make sense for the veteran quarterback’s services;
Derek Carr landing spots
New York Jets
The Jets and Carr flirted during the 2023 offseason, with the quarterback reportedly wined-and-dined by Jets brass. Could the Jets make the call to consider Carr again?
New York finds itself in quarterback purgatory entering the offseason. With only Fernando Mendoza labeled as a slam-dunk first-round NFL draft prospect, the No. 2 pick isn’t going to do New York any favors in the QB hunt. A Day 2 or 3 pick seems more likely, but also is much less of a sure thing.
If New York is looking for some level of stability or a bridge passer entering the 2026 season, Carr would make a lot of sense. The Jets own multiple first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, meaning they could target their passer of the future next draft cycle.
If head Aaron Glenn wants a passer that could provide a competent floor offensively with intriguing weapons and an ascending offensive line, then maybe Carr is the guy for the job.
Pittsburgh Steelers
With Mike McCarthy landing in Pittsburgh, a rumored reunion between him and former Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been floated.
If Rodgers decides to call it a career, though, Carr could be another option while the Steelers look for their elusive long-term successor to Ben Roethlisberger.
McCarthy has plenty of regular-season success and a Super Bowl ring to show for it. Now with the Steelers, it’ll be on the veteran coach to find the answer at quarterback. For now, in a division that’s in flux with the departures of John Harbaugh, Kevin Stefanski and the entrance of Todd Monken, Carr might be a shot in the arm for an offense that was among the league’s most middling in 2026.
Las Vegas Raiders
Could a return to the Raiders make sense for both sides?
Some of that depends on what Carr would want coming out of retirement. Does he want an opportunity to start and stick as a team’s QB1 for the long-term? Or would he be willing to enter a QB competition just to get a taste of the game again?
With Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza the presumptive No. 1 overall selection come April, it may benefit all involved with the Raiders to ease along the passer and not throw him into the fire, especially after a season of turmoil along Las Vegas’ offensive line, the worst in the NFL.
That doesn’t sound like an overly desirable situation for any veteran passer, but there may be a hook for Carr: the passer’s one-time offensive coordinator in New Orleans, Klint Kubiak, is reportedly tabbed to be the next head coach in Vegas. That could make for the right coaching staff, but the situation may be TBD.
Miami Dolphins
Could Derek Carr take his talents to South Beach?
There’s the looming question of Tua Tagovailoa, his contract and how he’ll fit in new head coach’s Jeff Hafley’s vision for the Dolphins. Miami would have to find a way to move on from Tagovailoa – something that he would welcome – or reassign his role on the team, something that might not sit well with the veteran passer.
That said, the Dolphins have endured a few seasons of organizational strife at passer and Carr, as mentioned, would give a floor of competent quarterback play. Is the situation ‘right?’ In a loaded AFC East that features the AFC champion New England Patriots and the perennial contender Buffalo Bills, maybe not. But options across the league are fleeting, and Carr may not have many of those if he is serious about an NFL comeback.