Report: Derek Carr’s camp gauged outside interest before retirement

Several weeks before he announced his retirement, then-New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr was putting out feelers to other NFL teams, ESPN reported Friday.
Carr’s representative spoke with at least two teams that may have had interest in signing a veteran quarterback on the eve of the new league year, according to the report. The front offices of those teams were “made aware” that Carr could be open to finding a new team.
Carr was entering Year 3 of a four-year, $150 million deal he signed with New Orleans in 2023. ESPN reported that Carr had not been given formal permission to speak with other teams earlier this year.
However, he retired from the NFL last Saturday for medical reasons. The Saints said Carr had a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage to his right throwing shoulder.
The timing of Carr’s injury news, which was first reported in April, left some questions. Carr said he began experiencing discomfort in that shoulder since a Dec. 8 game against the New York Giants in which he hurt his left, non-throwing hand.
The Saints have a new regime in place with head coach Kellen Moore replacing Dennis Allen, who was fired after a 2-7 start to the 2024 season. New Orleans has quarterbacks Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and second-round draft pick Tyler Shough on the roster now.