Why a Derek Carr return to the Raiders is unlikely

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

By Ross Jackson

Although the groundwork has been laid exactly the way the brothers teased, the reality of Derek and David Carr’s insinuation that the younger brother and former New Orleans Saints quarterback would possibly return to the NFL appears weak.

In January, the Carr brothers joked on their Home Grown podcast that the hiring of former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak by the Las Vegas Raiders would be “interesting”’with a strong lean on the suggestion that Derek Carr would find a return to Kubiak’s system an intriguing possibility.

Former Raiders QB Derek Carr is asked about Klint Kubiak possibly being the next Raiders Head Coach

“That would be so awesome”

David Carr “Yea would it be? How awesome? (Starts singing I’m coming home) if you get Klint, maybe” 🤔 👀 pic.twitter.com/DfoeogMzFf

— ShifftttyyyQB1🏴‍☠️ (@raiders1022) January 5, 2026

Such a situation would allow Carr to return to where his career started, with the Raiders organization. Doing so would require working out a trade with the Saints, who still own Carr’s playing rights.

Now, Kubiak is expected to become the head coach of the Raiders after all. However, the idea of Carr returning to Las Vegas and reuniting with Kubiak seems far gone.

The Raiders currently hold the No. 1 overall selection, which is expected to be used to draft their future quarterback in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman-winning national champion is likely ready to start right away in the league.

Even if Mendoza isn’t ready to go Week 1, the Raiders already have a veteran quarterback to fall back on without pursuing Carr. Veteran passer Geno Smith is still on the roster and has $18.5 million guaranteed in 2026.

Therefore, a trade for a more expensive Derek Carr to hold a veteran backup quarterback battle doesn’t make much sense.

If Carr is going to return to the NFL, and possibly yield late-round draft capital for the Saints in 2026, it doesn’t seem likely that the Raiders will be the team with which a deal would be cut.