With quarterback injuries stacking up across the league and offseason options looking thin, teams have quietly circled back to Carr as a potential 2026 solution if the fit feels right.
Derek Carr comeback talk picks up real traction
The biggest change is the shoulder. Carr retired last May after a labral tear and rotator cuff damage made surgery and a lost season a real possibility, but NFL Network’s reporting says the rehab has gone well enough that he is now throwing fully in his regular routine with no current limitations.
Derek Carr reportedly may unretire.
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) February 8, 2026
Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak and QB coach Andrew Janocko, expected to be the #Raiders' next HC and OC, coached Carr with the Saints last season.
In the wild scenario Las Vegas passes on Fernando Mendoza and trades the No. 1 pick for a haul... 👀 pic.twitter.com/r7MBynGeS1
That alone reopens the door, because Carr is being viewed as a credible veteran option in an offseason where reliable starters are not falling off trees.
Saints still hold the cards if Carr wants back in
Any comeback comes with a wrinkle as the New Orleans Saints still hold Carr’s rights, so a team would likely need to work out trade compensation to get him.
The good news for anyone interested is that the Saints have little incentive to be difficult if Carr is not part of their future, especially with Tyler Shough emerging as their clear plan moving forward.
Carr also has recent proof that he can still run an NFL offense. In his last season he completed 67.7% of his passes with 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 10 games, and he leaves behind a resume that includes four Pro Bowls and Raiders franchise passing records.
REPORT: Derek Carr is generating offseason interest and is open to a return if the fit makes sense. After rehabbing a shoulder injury, he’s now throwing with no limitations (NFL Network). pic.twitter.com/hA0tzxcbEt
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) February 8, 2026
This is where the rumor web gets fun. The Cincinnati Bengals checked in during the season after Joe Burrow’s injury, which tells you teams were already sniffing around, and the Las Vegas Raiders keep coming up because Carr has joked about it publicly and Klint Kubiak is now headed to Las Vegas.
The Raiders also hold the No. 1 pick and are widely expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, so even if Carr wanted the reunion, it would likely be a bridge scenario instead of a long-term reset.
Still, if Carr really is healthy and the right coach and roster sell him, the comeback chatter is not going away anytime soon.
Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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