Derek Carr Reportedly Linked To NFL Comeback With Surprise Team In 2026
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Las Vegas Raiders have a lot to figure out this offseason. The team had a tough 2025 season, which led to some deep changes. The Raiders brought in Pete Carroll to turn things around, but the plan did not work. The team fired him after just one season.
Quarterback Geno Smith joined the Raiders with Carroll, but that move also failed. Smith could not produce strong results, and the team now plans to part ways with him before the 2026 season. Once again, the Raiders are looking for a fresh start.
Las Vegas is already planning its next move. The team is expected to hire Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as the new head coach. Many insiders also believe the Raiders could select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, a surprising new possibility has now entered the conversation.
Carr Comeback Suddenly In Play
But now, former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is back in the NFL news. Carr retired last offseason after suffering a serious shoulder injury. Now, he is thinking about returning to football.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared the update on social media. He said Carr could come out of retirement if he finds the right team and coaching staff.
“An intriguing QB option to watch this offseason, as Derek Carr could unretire for the right situation and coaching staff, per The Insiders,” Rapoport wrote on X.
An intriguing QB option to watch this offseason, as Derek Carr could unretire for the right situation and coaching staff, per The Insiders.
Our story on the now-healthy #Saints QB: https://t.co/ANi4XVm58ahttps://t.co/ANi4XVm58a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 8, 2026
Carr played nine seasons with the Raiders after they drafted him in 2014. He became a reliable quarterback and earned four Pro Bowl selections. He also helped the team stay competitive for several years.
In 2023, Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. However, injuries affected his performance. He later chose shoulder surgery and stepped away from the game.
Carr is now healthy again. Reports say he only wants to return if he finds a strong team and coaches he trusts. That means several teams could become options.
A return to the Raiders looks unlikely because they want to draft a young quarterback. Carr has joked about coming back, but the team appears ready to move on.
Other teams might show interest. The Arizona Cardinals need quarterback help, and the Miami Dolphins also have questions at that particular position. The Minnesota Vikings could consider adding an experienced player.
Carr is still under contract with the Saints, but they do not see him as part of their future. That makes a move to another team possible.
If Carr decides to return, many teams could be interested. The 2026 season might become a surprising second chapter in his career.
