Derek Carr stunned the sports world when he retired back in May, and some have wondered if he will get the itch to play again. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is not ruling it out.
Carr was asked during an interview with “The Dan Patrick Show” on Thursday if there is any scenario in which he would consider an NFL return. The 34-year-old said he is very happy in retirement but knows better than to say “never.”
“I wouldn’t say never, because I’ve learned that when I say never it usually happens,” Carr said. “I think we’ve all probably learned that. For me, right now, I’m training because I love to train. That’s gonna be me 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 to my buddy for fun. 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.
“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. I’ll be ready, but I’m not coming back. Right now, today, I’m not coming back.”
Carr also revealed that his older brother David is his “biggest temptation” at the moment in terms of thinking about playing in the NFL again. Carr said David texts him every day trying to convince him to put the pads back on.
"It wasn't easy, I promise!"
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) September 11, 2025
– @derekcarrqb on walking away from $30 million. pic.twitter.com/brAbeUL0f5
Had Carr chosen to play in 2025, he reportedly would have needed surgery on his throwing shoulder. He said he would not have felt right sitting out and collecting his $30 million salary from the New Orleans Saints, which is one of the main reasons he decided to call it a career.
There had been rumblings that Carr was unhappy with the Saints and that new head coach Kellen Moore may have been looking to move on from the veteran. That is why a lot of people have wondered if Carr will take a season off and then try to come back and play for a different team.
Carr battled injuries last season and finished the year with 2,145 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 10 games. He will be 35 at the start of next season.
