Former QB Derek Carr Leaves Door Open for NFL Comeback After Surprise Retirement

Derek Carr may have retired from football, but he has left the door open for any kind of development in the future as he rehabs from his bad shoulder.

Former QB Derek Carr Leaves Door Open for NFL Comeback After Surprise Retirement

Derek Carr (Image via IMAGO)

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Derek Carr shocked the football world by announcing his retirement earlier this year. However, Carr hasn’t closed the door on a potential comeback in the future.

Carr walked away from the NFL after suffering a labral tear in his right shoulder, along with ‘significant degenerative changes’ to his rotator cuff. The doctors advised strict rehabilitation, which meant pausing his football activities.

He dedicated himself to growing his YouTube channel and delivering sermons at churches. YouTube recently hired Carr as an analyst for its first-ever live broadcast of an NFL game, between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.

Carr could easily follow in the footsteps of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Tony Romo to take up broadcasting as his day job, but he hasn’t ruled out a return to the gridiron.

While speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, Carr revealed that he trains every day to stay prepared for any kind of future development.

I wouldn’t say never because I’ve learned that when I say never, it usually happens… I love to train. I throw a football every now and then out in the front with my kids and with my buddy for fun, because it’s still part of my rehab for my shoulder.

Derek Carr said

Carr notified the New Orleans Saints about his injury in March. According to the NFL Network, doctors advised him to undergo surgery to repair the shoulder, but he opted against it because he was ready to retire.

The Saints and Carr came to the decision that the quarterback would retire, leaving $30 million guaranteed that he would have received in 2025, and the club wouldn’t pursue the $10 million roster bonus that would have been forfeited by retiring.

The Saints are trying to navigate without Derek Carr

Carr’s sudden departure left the Saints with a big conundrum. Kellen Moore, whom the Saints appointed as head coach, did not have an established quarterback to work with.

Former QB Derek Carr Leaves Door Open for NFL Comeback After Surprise Retirement
#4 Derek Carr (Image via IMAGO)

Neither Spencer Rattler nor Jake Haener had extensive NFL experience, and Tyler Shough is a rookie. Eventually, Moore settled with Rattler as the starter.

This move failed to generate any excitement among the Vegas oddsmakers, which is why the NFC South franchise is one of the favorites to regress even further in 2025.

Moore took charge of his first-ever Saints game against the Arizona Cardinals. They succumbed to a 20-13 defeat. Rattler threw 27 completions for 214 yards and set up running back Alvin Kamara for a score.

Saints fans were never too hot on Carr since his move from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. He went 13-13 before hanging up his boots, but even the most cynical of fans would rather see the 34-year-old return over experiencing the Rattler and Shough show.

Unfortunately, Carr isn’t ready to step back on the field just yet. The earliest fans can see him play will be in 2026.

I don’t want to go out there and not be ready, you know. So I’ll be ready, but I’m not coming back. Like, right now, today, I’m not coming back.

Derek Carr said

The Oakland Raiders drafted Carr in 2014. He spent nine seasons with the Raiders, accumulating four Pro Bowl honors.

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