Derek Carr’s Future Uncertain as Trade Talks Remain Quiet

Derek Carr’s potential return to the NFL appears to be stalling, as reports indicate that the New Orleans Saints have not yet received any inquiries from other teams regarding a trade for the veteran quarterback. According to NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, this lack of communication raises questions about Carr’s future in the league.

Back in early February, Carr expressed a willingness to consider unretirement for a team that has a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl. “Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not,” Carr stated during an episode of Home Grown with David and Derek Carr. He emphasized the importance of being healthy and having a competitive opportunity, noting, “That’s a tough thing to find. That’s hard to do. That’s not easy.”

At 34 years old, Carr stepped away from the game in May due to a labral tear in his shoulder and rotator cuff damage, which jeopardized his availability for the 2025-2026 season. Despite his retirement, Carr remains under contract with the Saints, who have since turned to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough to lead their offense.

Having been over a year removed from his shoulder injury, Carr has opted for rehabilitation rather than surgery and is reportedly throwing without limitations. This development could reignite interest from teams looking for quarterback depth, especially after last season saw numerous injuries plague the position across the league.

Last year, Carr was a sought-after option as teams scrambled to fill gaps left by injured quarterbacks. Notably, when Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow went down, the Cincinnati Bengals reached out to Carr before ultimately trading for Joe Flacco.

The Las Vegas Raiders, the team that drafted Carr in 2014 and where he spent his first nine seasons, have also been mentioned in connection with him. Carr is the Raiders’ all-time leading passer, accumulating 35,222 yards during his tenure and leading the team to two playoff appearances. The Raiders, now under the guidance of head coach Klint Kubiak, hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are expected to pursue Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, which could further complicate Carr’s potential return to the franchise.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.