New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr speaks during a news conference after their loss against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Rusty Jones
**INDIANAPOLIS —** All it takes is one.
Let’s get that caveat out of the way.
When it comes to whether Derek Carr actually un-retires this offseason, just one team needs to be motivated enough to persuade the former New Orleans Saints quarterback to return, hash out a trade and work through whatever else pops up along the way.
Oh, and they apparently have to be good enough to win the Super Bowl.
If you’re reading that with a healthy sense of skepticism, you wouldn’t be alone.
Based on several conversations at the NFL scouting combine, doubt exists over the idea that a team — especially a contender — would be willing to put its faith in a 34-year-old who hasn’t played in a year, is coming off what was described as a major shoulder injury and didn’t have the best track record of postseason success to begin with.
Yes, the quarterback market isn’t great. And yes, Carr seems to want to play.
But if Carr is serious about only returning for a team that can win it all, that very much narrows his options.
There are teams that fit the criteria. The Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers are all clubs that have talented rosters, have been on the quarterback carousel and are desperately trying to find an option that puts them over the top.
Any of those would be great for Carr. But would it be great for the teams?
As logical as it might appear for those teams to take a swing, it’s easy to come up with counterarguments. If the Vikings want a veteran option, why not just bring back Kirk Cousins — their former starter who meshes well with coach Kevin O’Connell? Pittsburgh’s brass has already indicated it prefers Aaron Rodgers, and that would take Carr off the table. Atlanta? That’s how they want to begin the Matt Ryan era?
Perhaps Carr still has it. In his last season with the Saints, he was undeniably deserving of a starting job. He was even electric the first two weeks of the year.
But that will be two years ago come the fall — only adding to the skepticism that all the cards will align for Carr.
### An under-discussed X factor
All right, my apologies. There’s another elephant in the room when it comes to Carr’s return.
His contract.
The Saints don’t see the quarterback’s contract as any sort of obstacle in potential trade talks. That’s clear. But multiple people this week acknowledged that any team taking on Carr likely would have to address the deal for him to return.
As a result of Carr’s retirement, his contract tolled — meaning he walked away with two years left on his deal, so he would return with two years left on his deal, even though a year has passed. And at the time he walked away, the guaranteed portion of Carr’s contract was essentially over with.
In that case, why would Carr ever return without any additional security?
Throw in the no-trade clause in his contract — yes, he has one — and Carr gets to pick his next destination. It wouldn’t make sense for him to do so without a reworked contract, even for a player who surprisingly agreed to give back $30 million upon retiring last May.
### Rattler’s market
The Saints aren’t in a rush to trade Spencer Rattler, and as of now, no other team has called to check on the 25-year-old’s availability.
New Orleans would have to legitimately be moved by an offer to part ways. And like with Carr, it can be tricky to find the right team.
It doesn’t help, in this case, that there is a sea of backup quarterbacks who could be moved this spring.
The Bears acknowledged there’s interest in Tyson Bagent, while the Jets have been linked to Philadelphia’s Tanner McKee and Houston’s Davis Mills. Indianapolis gave Anthony Richardson permission to seek a trade. San Francisco's Mac Jones won five games and now has the Kyle Shanahan glow.
Green Bay’s Malik Willis — the most desired of them all — is set to cash in at free agency.
The Saints believe Tyler Shough and Rattler have a great dynamic, creating no reason to break them up so soon.
### Taylor perception
Alontae Taylor is believed to be seeking a deal comparable to former teammate Paulson Adebo — whose contract with the Giants last year averaged $18 million per year.
Whether he gets it is a different story.
Taylor was initially reluctant to move inside to the slot because of what it could mean for his future earnings. Those fears aren’t necessarily validated yet, but several people said there is a gap in how teams value Taylor.
Chicago’s Kyler Gordon is the NFL’s highest-paid slot corner at $13.3 million — almost $5 million less than Adebo.
Gordon’s deal, too, was signed last April, and positional values in the NFL rarely get reset for non-quarterbacks in the way it would take for Taylor to make $18 million per year. (Chicago’s commitment to Gordon, for what it’s worth, is also why the Bears will likely be out of the running for Taylor, despite their reported interest in him at the trade deadline.)
Taylor, though, is versatile and talented. Some teams may easily believe he’s worth the money because he can play outside in base packages and excels on the inside. The Las Vegas Raiders, as previously mentioned, have coaches with ties to Taylor and ample salary cap space.
Taylor said at the end of the season that he believed his market would be robust.
All it takes is one.
### Downs is up
The Saints meet with all kinds of incoming rookies at the combine, so it’s not necessarily news when they meet with a star prospect.
That said, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs left quite the impression — so much so that there was a feeling that if he interviewed that well with other teams, he’ll be gone by the time the Saints pick at No. 8.
Opinions are split over whether linebacker Demario Davis ends up testing the market, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him at least talk to other teams when the negotiating window opens March 9. Davis and New Orleans still would like to reach an agreement. … The Saints would like another pass rusher regardless of whether Cam Jordan returns. … Never say never, but even with a strong group of tackles in this year’s draft, the Saints don’t seem on track to take another offensive lineman in Round 1. The Saints have expressed a lot of confidence in Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga and their development. … The Saints are bracing for some team to give center Luke Fortner a chance to start, likely putting him outside their price range. That makes it even more important for Erik McCoy to stay healthy, though New Orleans will almost certainly look for depth at the position. … The Saints blocked the Raiders’ interview request to speak with wide receivers coach Keith Williams for what would have been the same role on Klint Kubiak’s staff, a source said.