Derek Carr

NFL quarterback. Position: QB. Status: Retired, potential 2026 return under discussion.

Quick Facts

Position: QB
Age: 34 (as of 2026)
Status: Retired (May 2025); evaluating 2026 comeback options
Last team: New Orleans Saints
Injury (2024-25): Labral tear in shoulder with rotator cuff damage; declined surgery; completed rehab by early 2026

2026 Outlook

Derek Carr retired in May 2025 after shoulder surgery recovery seemed uncertain. By late February 2026, he signaled openness to returning for a Super Bowl contender, saying "I'd have to be healthy and I'd want a chance to win a Super Bowl." As of March 2026, Carr had no shoulder limitations and was throwing routinely. However, the quarterback market moved quickly: the Jets signed Geno Smith, Miami added Malik Willis, and Arizona solidified Jacoby Brissett. Most realistic Super Bowl contenders already had starting QBs in place (per Derek Carr's chances of NFL return may hinge on Aaron Rodgers). By mid-March, the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be Carr's only realistic option—and only if Aaron Rodgers retired. The New Orleans Saints would likely trade Carr's rights rather than see him play without compensation (per Saints' Derek Carr era may be nearing its end for a second time). Carr's high expectations for a contender have significantly limited his market; realistically he may need to either wait for a season-ending injury to a contender's QB or broaden his criteria beyond Super Bowl favorites.

Role / Depth Chart

(monitoring — status on team/contract situation)

Injury Status

Shoulder (labral tear + rotator cuff damage, 2024-25): Underwent rehabilitation rather than surgery. As of March 2026, reportedly pain-free with full throwing range (per multiple reporting Jan-Feb 2026).

Recent News

2026-02-15 — Raiders name Andrew Janocko Offensive Coordinator (Raiders name Andrew Janocko Offensive Coordinator)
2026-05-18 — Gutierrez: A first-time OC, Andrew Janocko comes to the Raiders with history in mind (Gutierrez: A first-time OC, Andrew Janocko comes to the Raiders with history in mind)
2026-03-30 — NFC South Check-In, Post-Free Agency Rush: New Orleans Saints (NFC South Check-In, Post-Free Agency Rush: New Orleans Saints)
2026-02-15 — Raiders hire Derek Carr’s Saints QB coach as offensive coordinator (Raiders hire Derek Carr’s Saints QB coach as offensive coordinator)
2026-03-04 — Saints' latest checklist: Run game, guard and Derek Carr (Saints' latest checklist: Run game, guard and Derek Carr)
2026-02-28 — Saints haven't heard from teams on trading for Derek Carr: Reports (Saints haven't heard from teams on trading for Derek Carr: Reports)
2026-02-25 — NFL Report: Derek Carr is Serious About Unretiring in 2026 (NFL Report: Derek Carr is Serious About Unretiring in 2026)
2026-03-02 — Saints-Derek Carr Trade Would Be Far From Eye-Popping Deal (Saints-Derek Carr Trade Would Be Far From Eye-Popping Deal)
2026-02-21 — Derek Carr–Vikings Rumor Great News for Saints (Derek Carr–Vikings Rumor Great News for Saints)
2026-02-15 — Will Former Saints Quarterback Derek Carr Unretire and Find Way Back to NFL? (Will Former Saints Quarterback Derek Carr Unretire and Find Way Back to NFL?)

Open Questions

Will Aaron Rodgers retire, opening Pittsburgh as an option for Carr?
If Carr can't land a contender, will he settle for a non-contender or wait out the entire offseason?

Sources

(receipts — every claim above should link to a source here)