Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr didn't retire because he wanted to, but because he had to. This offseason, there's a possibility that he could dust off his cleats for the right situation. With Tyler Shough looking every part of a franchise quarterback, the Saints should have no hesitation dealing Carr.
Carr's retirement came after a labral tear in his shoulder and damage to that same shoulder's rotator cuff. However, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo report, his shoulder has fully recovered, with no limitations in sight.
The Insiders have also reported that this past season, multiple teams, including but not limited to the Cincinnati Bengals when Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury, have done meticulous analysis on whether or not Carr would consider coming out of retirement and just the overall status of his shoulder. When asked if he'd ever unretire, Carr himself has said it's possible. "Never say never, because I've learned that when I say never, it usually happens."
The Saints still have the rights to Derek Carr if he decides to return
If another team in the NFL is actually interested enough in Carr to want him on their roster, they'd have to make a deal with the Saints. The team still have his rights until the end of the 2026 season, despite his retirement designation.
Not even the Insiders know what that package could look like, but they did say that the price "surely wouldn't be an unreasonable ask for a player who has no future in New Orleans." Current estimates are that it would take a couple of day three draft picks to get Carr on the move.
As of this morning, word on the street is that the Minnesota Vikings are a team to watch as a possible destination for a Derek Carr trade. Currently, they have 11 draft picks to work with, seven of them being on day three. Although there are plenty of other teams in quarterback limbo, like the Arizona Cardinals or the Miami Dolphins, that might want to add Carr to their roster.
If he does decide to unretire, Carr will have a number of teams to choose from. But whoever that team is, they would have to go through the Saints first.