Is Derek Carr already having second thoughts about retirement decision?

Back in June, quarterback Derek Carr strongly suggested he wasn't having any second thoughts about retiring as an active player in May due to reasons related to a significant shoulder injury. 

During a recent appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," Carr teased that he hasn't completely slammed the door shut on possibly making a return to the NFL at some point.

Is Derek Carr training for a comeback?

"I wouldn’t say never because I’ve learned that when I say never, it usually happens," Carr explained, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "I think we’ve all probably learned that. So, for me right now, I’m training because I love to train. That’s gonna be the rest of my life. I love to train. I throw a football every now and then out in the front with my kids and with my buddy for fun, because it’s part of my rehab still for my shoulder. I’m still just trying to get that back right from getting the shot and doing the rehab and all that. So I’m still doing those things."

Carr reportedly considered exploring a trade from the New Orleans Saints to a quarterback-needy team following the 2024 season before the Saints restructured his contract. Almost immediately after he shockingly announced his retirement decision, Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated and other NFL insiders predicted that the veteran signal-caller would eventually attempt to find a new NFL home once he recovered from his latest setback. 

Derek Carr could find motivation to make a comeback

"...I always felt like, even though I’m done, if God wanted me to do it, I’ve got to be ready," Carr continued during the segment. "I don’t want to go out there and not be ready, you know? So I’ll be ready. But, I’m not coming back. Like, right now, today, I’m not coming back."  

The "right now, today" portion of Carr's comments may have been doing some heavy lifting regarding his mindset. Not for nothing, but San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy already had quite a worrisome injury history even before it was learned this week that he could miss two to five games while dealing with left shoulder and toe issues. 

Perhaps the 49ers would give Carr a call if Purdy doesn't recover as hoped before the middle of October arrives.