This offseason is expected to be packed full of rumors linking the Minnesota Vikings to several quarterbacks, and one of the first appears to pair Derek Carr with the purple and gold.
During a recent episode of their podcast "Home Grown with David & Derek Carr," Carr and his brother, former NFL quarterback David Carr, talked about the possibility of him returning to the league in 2026 after retiring and sitting out all of the 2025 season.
Carr made it pretty clear about what he would do if the right opportunity came along to return to the NFL.
"Would I do it? Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not.
...I told you two things. I'd have to be healthy and I would want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously that's a tough thing to find. That's hard to do. That's not easy."
A little later in the discussion, the two brothers dropped a not-so-subtle hint about where Derek might want to play in 2026.
"David: Do I have any purple and gold?
Derek: Go Lakers.
David: Oh yeah. I was just, that's what I mean. It's Lakers season."
Derek Carr to the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 might be more possible than previously anticipated
During their discussion, no other NFL team colors other than purple and gold were mentioned, which makes it seem pretty clear that the Vikings are an organization that Carr is open to joining for the 2026 season.
If that were to happen, though, Minnesota would likely have to make a trade with the New Orleans Saints, who still have his rights, to acquire Carr. Is that something the Vikings would be open to doing, or would they prefer to just sign a different veteran quarterback in free agency?
Carr, who will turn 35 in March, last appeared in an NFL game in Week 14 of the 2024 season. Could his next appearance come in a purple and gold jersey?