Derek Carr is not done with football yet.
Carr went on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football this week and confirmed that multiple teams have reached out to him about coming out of retirement. The 35-year-old former Saints and Raiders starter said he is open to the idea if the right opportunity comes along.
That is a real story for a couple reasons.
Carr retired earlier this offseason after multiple offseason injuries and a rough final year in New Orleans. Everybody assumed he was done for good. He had a broadcasting career waiting, a family that had already moved on to the next chapter, and no obvious contender kicking his door down. He announced his retirement and it seemed final.
Now, less than four months later, he is back on TV telling everyone he might come back.
The teams reaching out probably include a few obvious names. Any franchise dealing with a starting quarterback injury during training camp would be interested. Backup quarterback rooms in the NFL are worse than they have ever been. Carr is a legitimate NFL starter who can operate a scheme, make throws down the field, and lead a locker room. There are teams that need exactly that.
Cleveland has been rumored. The Browns have had quarterback problems for years and would love a veteran to bridge to their next drafted starter. Minnesota is another name. J.J. McCarthy has had preseason questions and the Vikings need somebody experienced. The Colts, Cowboys, and Steelers have all had situations that could benefit from Carr.
Carr is not going to sign with a rebuilding team. He is going to want to compete for something meaningful. That narrows the market significantly. He also is not going to be desperate. He is comfortable financially and does not need football for the paycheck.
The question is fit. Carr’s game is not what it was five years ago. His arm is still fine but he does not extend plays with his legs anymore. He needs a good offensive line and an offensive coordinator willing to schematically protect him. Not every team can offer that.
The most interesting fit might be Cleveland with Kevin Stefanski as the coach. Stefanski’s offense is friendly to veteran quarterbacks. Carr in that system with a healthy Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper could be a real thing.
Nothing is imminent. Carr said he would need the right situation. Teams have called but no deal is close. The story right now is just that the door is open.
Never say never with quarterbacks. Tom Brady tried to retire twice. Peyton Manning came back after neck surgery. Derek Carr thinking about unretirement is not shocking. What is a little shocking is that he is doing it this quickly, and that multiple contenders are apparently interested.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
