NFL fans may not have seen the last of quarterback Derek Carr despite his retirement in May 2025. He could potentially return for the right situation.
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Sources told NFL Network's insiders that teams have done their due diligence on the veteran quarterback and the health of his shoulder. He retired after last season due to a labral tear in his shoulder and damage to his rotator cuff.
Teams have learned that the former Raiders and Saints quarterback has no limitations in his shoulder after choosing to pursue rehab instead of surgery.
It would not be possible for Carr to simply come out of retirement and join a quarterback-needy team, such as the Minnesota Vikings or Arizona Cardinals. He still remains under contract with the New Orleans Saints after signing a four-year, $150 million deal in 2023.
Granted, the Saints have seemingly found their quarterback of the future in Tyler Shough, who was in contention for Offensive Rookie of the Year after going 5-4 as a starter. They would not replace Shough with Carr and would likely be more willing to trade the veteran to another team.
Carr has declined to rule out a situation where he came out of retirement. Last September, he faced questions about this possibility during an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show." He acknowledged that it felt weird to be out of the NFL as other players suited up for regular-season games.
"I wouldn't say never because I've learned that when I say never, it usually happens," Carr told Patrick. "I think we've all probably learned that. So, for me right now, I'm training because I love to train. That's gonna be the rest of my life. I love to train. I throw a football every now and then out in the front with my kids and with my buddy for fun, because it's part of my rehab still for my shoulder.
"I'm still just trying to get that back right from getting the shot and doing the rehab and all that. So I'm still doing those things. And so I always felt like, even though I'm done, if God wanted me to do it, I've got to be ready. I don't want to go out there and not be ready, you know. So I'll be ready, but I'm not coming back. Like, right now, today, I'm not coming back."
