Saints' Derek Carr Gets Harsh Reality Check With Dry Trade Market

The Derek Carr market certainly hasn't gone as expected after reports surfaced around the Super Bowl that he would be willing to return to the National Football League in 2026 in the right situation.

Reports surfaced right before the Super Bowl that the former New Orleans Saints starter would be willing to make a comeback to the National Football League. The four-time Pro Bowler confirmed the news himself while speaking to his brother, David, on "Home Grown with David & Derek Carr."

"Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not," Carr said. " ... Would I do it? Absolutely I would do it. I told you two things. I would have to be healthy and I would want a chance to win a Super Bowl and obviously that's a tough thing to find. That's hard to do. That's not easy. ... Moral of the story, would I come back? The answer obviously is yes. But I have had to say 'no' a couple of times so far."

The former Saints quarterback is in limbo

Dec 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Right after Carr made his comments about coming back, a flurry of trade rumors and speculation popped up pointing to various teams, including the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. But, the Jets filled their need at quarterback with Geno Smith and the Vikings went out and got Kyler Murray. Carr specifically putting it out there that he only would play for a Super Bowl contender is a tough sell as well. There are few Super Bowl contenders one retired quarterback away from a championship. Now, that could change over the course of the offseason as injuries pop up. But as of now, Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune and The Advocate reported that no one has called the Saints about Carr.

"With the quarterback market mostly settled, aside from Aaron Rodgers deciding on his future, the Saints still haven’t received any calls inquiring about retired quarterback Derek Carr," Paras wrote.

It's a little shocking that no one has called to check in, but Carr didn't play in 2025 and made it clear that he will not play for a non-contender. There aren't that many legit contenders out there right now. And even then, part of the reason the contenders out there are contenders is because of good quarterback play. The teams that have been in need of quarterbacks this offseason unsurprisingly, struggled in 2025, for the most part, like the Jets and Vikings.

This has been a bit of an odd situation all offseason and it sounds like it's going to linger.