The plan for quarterback Justin Fields hasn’t gone exactly as the New York Jets had hoped, so the team may entertain the idea of bringing back Derek Carr to the league. There have been whispers that the Jets may look into all of their options to rebuild once again since the Fields experiment has failed, which means signing Carr to a low-stakes deal wouldn’t be the worst idea for New York. It’s hard to see Fields on this roster based on all of the rumors that the Jets could move on, especially with his surprise benching this 2025 season. Would they actually entertain the idea of bringing Carr back?
Jets Could Bring Former Four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr Out of Retirement
Carr didn’t walk away from football because he was done; he simply was recovering from the torn labrum and didn’t want to take the guarantees he had while he was still under contract with the New Orleans Saints. The Jets bringing Carr back to the NFL would only make sense if the team takes a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft this upcoming offseason. However, there is a risk, which is his medical history, and that might stop the Jets from pursuing the idea.
Carr will probably only earn a one-year contract with a team that is in dire need of a quarterback. Since retirement was hard for Carr, he should be back for the 2026 season, playing football again. Originally selected as a second-rounder, the former Fresno State product should get some type of interest once he is fully recovered and lets the league know that he is “ready to go.”
Other Potential Suitors
Carolina Panthers
The future looks bright in Carolina, but the Panthers would do themselves a favor to get an adequate veteran to mentor Bryce Young. Andy Dalton hasn’t been the most exciting since signing his new extension, and that was evident in his disastrous preseason performance. The Panthers are on pace to win their division if things go as planned for the rest of the 2025 season, but still, they should still entertain bringing in Derek Carr.
This gives the Panthers an opportunity as a resurgent team, which they’re having this season, and something to look forward to for next season. Carolina drafted Tetaiora McMillan, and if they sign a superstar receiver this upcoming offseason, then the team bringing in Carr makes sense.
Los Angeles Rams
Meanwhile, the Rams have one of the best offenses in the league this year. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is playing his best football, but nothing will last forever. Last year, Stafford was on the verge of retirement, and that could become an idea if the Rams falter in January. Head Coach Sean McVay is one of the greats and can bring something out of Carr if Stafford decides to hang up his cleats.
It won’t be a sudden transition, but anything can happen, especially given that Davante Adams could reunite with Carr.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders need a huge overhaul on offense. After trading Jakobi Meyers before the deadline, it means the team will rebuild. There’s no word on what happens to quarterback Geno Smith, but the Raiders might need to bring Carr out of retirement. In his first tenure in Las Vegas, Carr put up records, and it might not be the same anymore, but maybe Pete Carroll can position him better at the right moment.
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