Overview
- Insider Jordan Schultz reports from the combine that teams believe Derek Carr is very serious about unretiring for the 2026 season.
- Multiple clubs with playoff ambitions are described as having real interest, with outlets discussing potential fits such as the Vikings, Colts and Steelers.
- Carr has said he will only return if fully healthy and on a Super Bowl-caliber roster, and NFL Network reported he rehabbed in 2025 with no current limitations.
- The Saints retain Carr’s contract rights from his 2023 four-year deal, so any return would require a trade or a release rather than a standard free-agent signing.
- Reporting indicates New Orleans views Tyler Shough as its future at quarterback, and one analysis notes a possible cap-driven release option to avoid a sizable 2026 charge.