The 2025 NFL season closed with an impressive comeback story. Five years after being traded to the Carolina Panthers, former New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to their second Super Bowl in franchise history. The third overall pick in 2018 beat the Jets rival, New England Patriots, thanks to a dominant performance from Seattle’s defense. Now, the NFL offseason is officially underway. After hiring Frank Reich as their offensive coordinator, the Jets are looking for a new starting quarterback. While they will have options, a new, intriguing option has emerged. After retiring in 2025, former Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is making a comeback. Initially retiring due to a shoulder injury, Carr has been recuperating and responded well to the rehab. If recovered, should New York pursue the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback?
Jets Could Pursue Un-Retired QB Derek Carr
From @NFLGameDay: Could Derek Carr return to the NFL in 2026? Teams are going to (and have been, frankly) inquire. pic.twitter.com/pmC2nN6tVx
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 8, 2026
Entering the offseason, the Jets have a lot of work to do. After finalizing the last of their staff, head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are underway in figuring out how to improve the team. Thankfully, with four top 45 picks in the NFL Draft and top-five cap space, they will have options. It’s widely expected that New York will address many defensive needs through the draft. Adding a player like Arvell Reese with the second overall pick would be a massive gain for their linebacker core. In addition, New York would benefit from help at safety, edge rusher, and depth at cornerback. However, the offense still has a major hole to fill at quarterback.
Looking to improve their league-worst passing game, the Jets will leave no stone unturned to upgrade at quarterback. After missing out on the first overall pick, any hopes of selecting Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana have been swept away. While the team could pursue Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, he might not make it to the 16th overall pick. So, the team will likely pursue a veteran quarterback. While nobody jumps off the page in free agency, a new target has emerged who could be a boost.
Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr is making a comeback
As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is mulling a comeback. Drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Raiders, Carr retired last season after spending 11 years in the NFL. After two seasons in New Orleans, the Saints quarterback retired after dealing with a torn labrum in his shoulder. However, after calling it a career, Carr spent this past year rehabbing and recuperating. As of now, his rehab has a strong track record, as he’s recently returned to a full workout schedule. Due to his recovery, the 34-year-old pocket passer could be on NFL teams’ radars.
Before his retirement, Carr performed admirably during his tenure with the Raiders and Saints. In nine of his 11 seasons as a starter, Carr threw over 20 touchdown passes, while having a career completion percentage north of 65%. From 2018 to 2021, Carr had four consecutive seasons of more than 4,000 passing yards as well. Even his final two seasons in New Orleans were more productive than you’d imagine. Through 27 total games, Carr completed 68.2% of his passes while throwing 40 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions.
Why Derek Carr could fit with the Jets
Considering the limited options on the table, a Derek Carr to New York trade could make sense for both sides. While there are more stable rosters, Carr instantly becomes the starter if he joins the team. Despite retiring, the Saints own Derek Carr’s rights in the 2026 season. It’s still up in the air as far as compensation goes. Before retiring, Carr restructured his contract to save the Saints over $30 million from his original cap hit of nearly $69 million. Due to such a large financial commitment, the Saints shouldn’t expect more than late Day three picks in a potential Carr trade.
But, this could be in the Jets favor. With just north of $83 million in cap space, New York can afford the cap hit for Carr. Entering the 2026 offseason, the Jets have three sixth-round picks and two seventh-round picks in the draft. A combination of these picks would be decent compensation for the Saints in a Carr trade. It will be a bidding war for Carr’s services, but NY could make a fair offer.
In terms of play, Carr would give the Jets a veteran pocket passer who can game-manage the offense if healthy. New offensive coordinator Frank Reich has a tradition of utilizing traditional pocket passers with limited mobility, like Derek Carr. Reich’s West Coast offense emphasizes short-timed passes that require the quarterback to get the ball out early without forcing throws. This would benefit Carr’s strengths by not asking him to do more than the defense gives him. Pairing a strong-armed veteran like Carr with a trio of Garrett Wilson, Mason Taylor, and likely a rookie wide receiver could stabilize the Jets offense.
Main Photo: [Brad Penner] – Imagn Images
