Saints' Derek Carr retirement news, comeback plan is total surprise on Super Bowl Sunday

There will be a handful of teams looking for a new quarterback this offseason.

There's a chance that someone unexpected will be entering his name into the ring: Derek Carr.

Carr, who retired from the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 offseason, is considering a comeback.

"Sources have said the right situation and coaching staff could lure Carr back onto the field," writes NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Sunday.

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Why did Derek Carr retire?

Carr initially retired last May due to injuries to his throwing shoulder.

He had both a tear of his labrum and damage to his rotator cuff.

At the time, surgery probably would've made it tough for Carr to play in the 2025 NFL season anyway, and so he chose to step away.

"Since then, Carr took several months off to rest and sources say his shoulder has responded well, leading Carr to slowly begin rehabbing as the season unfolded," Rapoport writes. "His shoulder has now improved to the point where he is throwing fully as part of his regular exercise routine. Teams have learned Carr currently has no shoulder limitations."

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Derek Carr contract

The Saints still hold Carr's rights since he retired while under contract with New Orleans.

That means if Carr comes back, the Saints would conceptually have to trade him to whatever team might want him.

Tyler Shough looks set to remain the starting QB in New Orleans regardless.

But this adds a fascinating twist to an offseason with a decent amount of quarterback demand but not a lot of quarterback supply.

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