Derek Carr was the subject of comeback rumors during the offseason. The former quarterback admitted that there was something to those rumors, but that a return to the NFL is still a longshot.
In an appearance on “Good Morning Football” Friday, Carr said he would not completely rule out a return to the NFL, but that it would have to be a “special situation” to get him to come out of retirement.
“I’ll never say never. It would take a special situation,” Carr said. “There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason. I won’t say who or how, but they reached out and were just gauging my interest on what I want to do. They’re good, solid football teams, a couple of them in some different situations. I think I’m just at the point where I want to win, man. If I were to do it, it would have to be a special team that maybe lost somebody or needed somebody, but even then, it’s not guaranteed.”
.@derekcarrqb coming out of retirement? 🤔
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) July 10, 2026
According to the four-time Pro Bowl QB, it would take a "special team" to pull him from the golf course ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/EnKbexkfMB
Carr was reported to be serious about a comeback earlier in the offseason. However, there were multiple complicating factors. One is that the New Orleans Saints still hold his rights, and any team that wanted him would have to work out a trade. In addition, most of the teams that showed interest in Carr are not exactly expected to be contenders, which goes against his stated goal of landing in an ideal situation.
Carr, 35, last played in 2024. He announced his retirement at the end of that season as he dealt with a serious shoulder injury.
