Three years ago, the New York Jets courted Derek Carr, only to spurn him for Aaron Rodgers.
Could the relationship reignite in 2026?
The NFL has descended upon Indianapolis for the combine, which means rumors are spreading like wildfire. The latest scuttlebutt centers on the retired Carr, who hung up his helmet last May, citing longstanding shoulder pain stemming from a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.
According to a report from Jordan Schultz, there is a “strong belief” that Carr is “very serious” about coming out of retirement to make a return to the NFL in 2026.
This is not the first we’ve heard of Carr’s potential unretirement.
On the morning of Super Bowl LX, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that “teams are serious” about luring Carr back to the NFL. Per Garafolo, the 34-year-old “has, and will continue to, receive inquiries from QB-needy clubs about a return in 2026.”
If Schultz’s report is any indication, things may have been progressing since early February.
That leaves the Jets as an obvious suitor.
With no short or long-term quarterback answers on their roster, the Jets will be linked to just about every available quarterback in free agency, the trade market, or the draft. Thus, it stands to reason that the perpetually quarterback-needy Jets could be interested in Carr, whose 257 career touchdown passes would be the Jets’ franchise record by a margin of 87 over Joe Namath (170).
As for Carr, the Jets are obviously not the most appealing landing spot if he wishes to pursue a championship, but if his goal is simply to start games, he could not ask for a better place to be. With the Jets unlikely to select a quarterback in the top 15 of this year’s draft, Carr would likely have little to no competition for the Jets’ Week 1 starting job if he came to New York.
Plus, the Jets’ quarterbacks coach is Bill Musgrave, who was Carr’s offensive coordinator for two years in Oakland (2015-16), helping him reach his first two Pro Bowls.
Adding smoke to the fire is the fact that Carr gushed about the Jets on his podcast in early January.
“They have a good head coach (Glenn), and they got Garrett Wilson,” Carr said of the Jets. “Garrett wants the ball, man. He just wants the ball.”
Carr also described his friendly relationship with Glenn and his appreciation for Jets fans.
“I love Aaron Glenn. He’s a good friend. Love Aaron Glenn. I talk to him whenever it’s viable. … I also love Jet fans.”
The Carr-to-New York talk has progressed beyond a mere early-February news drop to fill the headlines. This is slowly becoming a realistic possibility.
Until Carr definitively shoots the talk down, the rumors will continue to fester.
