Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr has accepted a position as a special advisor to UCLA head coach Bob Chesney, spurning multiple offers to return to professional football. Carr, 35, revealed that several NFL teams had approached him about a potential comeback during the offseason.
"We are excited to welcome Derek to our program," Chesney said in a statement. "He has played the quarterback position at a high level for more than a decade, and his experience, leadership and football knowledge will be an incredible resource for our coaching staff and student-athletes. What stands out most is his passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people. Derek will have a tremendous impact on our players and is a great addition to our program."
Carr expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, citing his long-standing respect for UCLA general manager Darrick Yray, a former offensive assistant at Fresno State where Carr played college football. "The opportunity to help Coach Chesney, the staff and the quarterbacks at UCLA was one that really excited me," Carr stated. "I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences and helping support the program in any way I can."
Carr, who earned over $200 million and four Pro Bowl selections in his 10-year NFL career, retired in May 2025 due to a lingering shoulder injury. Despite his health concerns, he noted that teams had still inquired about his future plans. "I never say never," Carr told the NFL Network. "It would take a special situation. There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason. I won't say who or how, but they reached out and were gauging my interest on what I wanted to do. They were good, solid football teams."
Carr indicated that any potential NFL return would need to be with a team possessing realistic Super Bowl ambitions. "I'm just at the point where I just want to win. I want to win," he said. "So if I were to do it, it would have to be a special team that maybe lost somebody or needed somebody, but even then, it's not guaranteed. I'm having too much fun hanging out with my wife, hanging out with my kids, and trying to get good at golf. So it would take a special deal."
By retiring in 2025, Carr forfeited his $30 million guaranteed salary for that season with the New Orleans Saints, receiving a $10 million roster bonus instead. He had played through the shoulder injury and subsequent surgery before deciding to step away from his playing career. Carr maintains he is always training and would be in shape if a suitable opportunity arose, though he anticipates primarily coaching his children.
Carr's NFL statistics include 41,245 passing yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions over 11 seasons, with a 65.1% career completion rate, tied with Aaron Rodgers for 20th all-time. The 2026 NFL season will be the first since 2001 without either Derek Carr or his older brother, David Carr, on a league roster. David Carr, the first overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, is now an analyst for NFL Network.