Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr has announced a return to football. He will take on a new role while joining a new team.
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"I am taking my talents to Southern California," Carr told brother David during an episode of the Home Grown podcast. "I am going to be coaching at UCLA and helping — special advisor to the head coach."
The UCLA Bruins also announced the move with a press release on Monday. The team said that Carr had indeed joined the staff to serve as special assistant to head coach Bob Chesney.
The former NFL quarterback will help with game-planning strategy. He will also work with the college team's quarterbacks.
"We are excited to welcome Derek to our program," Chesney said. "He has played the quarterback position at a high level for more than a decade, and his experience, leadership and football knowledge will be an incredible resource for our coaching staff and student-athletes.
"What stands out most is his passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people. Derek will have a tremendous impact on our players and is a great addition to our program."
Carr, a former Fresno State standout, spent 11 seasons playing in the NFL after being selected by the Raiders in the 2014 Draft. He went from a second-round pick to the starting quarterback as a rookie, and he went on to become the franchise's all-time passing leader with 35,222 yards, 217 touchdowns, and 3,201 completions.
Carr went 63-79 as a starter for the Silver and Black, headlined by a 12-3 season in 2016 in which he became an MVP candidate. However, he missed the final game of the regular season and the team's playoff game due to a broken fibula.
The former Fresno State quarterback led the Raiders back to the playoffs in 2021 after posting a 10-7 record. The Silver and Black lost to the Bengals 26-19 in the wild-card round.
Carr's time with the Raiders ended after the 2022 season. He spent two seasons playing for the Saints before ultimately retiring due to a shoulder injury. However, questions have circulated about whether he would ever make an NFL comeback.
As it turns out, he had some options on the table before ultimately choosing to join UCLA's staff.
"I had six teams come with different, like, 'Hey, we want you to come be our quarterback,'" Carr explained. "'Here's what it looks like, here's our plan.' It didn't work out for one reason and another. Hope the best for all parties.
"I am coaching. I want to coach. I have made that abundantly clear to the people closest to me."
