Andrew Buller-Russ
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to open up some cap space after entering the offseason $44 million over the 2026 spending limit. Moving on from a pair of Pro Bowl players could be in play.
Once the Vikings get cap compliant again, they’re expected to go hunting for another quarterback to either pair/compete with J.J. McCarthy or possibly replace him. They’ve been linked to a large number of quarterbacks, and that continued this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post said, “there was a lot of talk in Indy about the Vikings” being linked to Derek Carr. Bonsignore added that he’d “imagine that if (Carr) came back, it’d be with a contender.”
Carr is believed to be considering a return to the NFL after leaving the league due to a shoulder injury. Now presumably healthy again, Carr, 34, could be eyeing a comeback in the right situation.
The Vikings are looking to add experience to a QB room that has a 23-year-old McCarthy, plus a soon-to-be 25-year-old former undrafted free agent, Max Brosmer. Carr, who has 11 seasons of experience, would add a valued element to the Vikings.
If Carr does come out of retirement, the assumption is that the Saints will try trading him. Yet, with Carr having a $36.6 million cap hit in 2026, coming out of retirement could force the Saints’ hand into releasing him instead. After all, New Orleans is already moving forward with Tyler Shough as their potential franchise quarterback. They’re not turning back to Carr now.
Thus, there’s a scenario in which Carr could hit the open market. If so, he’d have a chance to handpick his next NFL team.
Related: 6 Best Derek Carr Landing Spots as QB Nears NFL Return
