Saints reporter seems to confirm how teams feel about a Derek Carr trade

A Tuesday report revealed that NFL teams have thus far shown "little interest in" acquiring the rights for retired quarterback Derek Carr from the New Orleans Saints this offseason. 

For a piece published on Wednesday, Saints reporter Katherine Terrell of ESPN seemed to confirm that quarterback-needy clubs aren't in a rush to land Carr before the new league year opens on March 11. 

Has any team reached out to Saints about Derek Carr?

"Carr has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning the Saints are restricted on which team they could send him to if he returns," Terrell explained. "As of combine week, New Orleans had not heard from Carr's representation or any team interested in possibly acquiring him." 

The Saints retained Carr's rights because he was on their roster when he surprisingly retired in May 2025 due to reasons related to a significant shoulder injury. This past February, he suggested that he would be willing to make a comeback for "a chance to win a Super Bowl." Thus far, there's no indication an advertised contender would be willing to hand Carr a starting job this spring or summer. 

What could trading for Derek Carr cost a team?

"Because Carr's situation is rare, a wide range of compensation would likely be considered if he chose to play for another team, but it could be in the range of a third- to fifth-round pick," Terrell added. "The Saints hold the rights to the final two years of Carr's contract after he did not play in 2025."

Teams understandably may hesitate to give up even a fifth-round pick for Carr before free agency. Once other quarterbacks go off the board, a club left without a figurative dance partner may view the veteran who turns 35 years old later in March as a lottery-ticket option. 

Whispers from the combine hinted that the Saints will be able to trade Carr to a New York Jets team in need of a QB1. He flirted with joining the Jets back in early 2023, but few would consider a Gang Green side that is coming off a 3-14 season as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.