Retired quarterback Derek Carr is headed to UCLA, where the 35-year-old will serve as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney, after revealing he had been approached by NFL teams about a possible return.
"We are excited to welcome Derek to our program," Chesney said in a team 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."
Chesney added that what stood out most was Carr's passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people, saying Carr would have a tremendous impact on the players and was a great addition to the program.
Chesney takes over rebuilding Bruins program
Chesney arrives at UCLA after coaching James Madison for two successful seasons. He takes over a Bruins program that dismissed head coach Deshaun Foster following an 0-3 start in 2025. Interim head coach Tim Skipper went 3-6 the rest of that season, while quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a transfer from Tennessee, had an up-and-down year.
Iamaleava is set to start for UCLA again in 2026, with his brother Madden serving as backup. The Bruins open their season on September 5 against the Cal Bears in Berkeley.
Carr played college football at Fresno State under offensive assistant Darrick Yray, who now serves as UCLA's general manager. Carr said he had known Yray for a long time and had great respect for the work he had done throughout his career, adding that the chance to help Chesney, the staff and the quarterbacks at UCLA was an opportunity that excited him.
Carr's retirement and NFL interest
Carr, who earned $205 million and four Pro Bowl selections over his 10-year career, retired in May 2025 because of a lingering shoulder injury. He told NFL Network on Friday that he never says never about returning, but that it would take a special situation.
Carr said multiple teams reached out to him this offseason, declining to name them but describing them as good, solid football teams gauging his interest. He said he was at a point where he just wanted to win, and that a return would require a special team, perhaps one that had lost a player or needed one, though even then nothing would be guaranteed.
He added that he was having too much fun spending time with his wife and kids and trying to get good at golf, so it would take a special deal to bring him back.
Carr's career numbers
By retiring, Carr forfeited a $30 million guaranteed salary for 2025 with the New Orleans Saints, in exchange for a $10 million roster bonus he was paid. Playing through the shoulder injury and having surgery had been considered before he decided to step away.
Carr said he still trains regularly and would be in shape and ready if called upon, though he expects instead to be coaching his kids. Over 11 NFL seasons with a 77-92 record as a starter, the Fresno State product passed for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions, with a lifetime completion rate of 65.1 percent, tied with Aaron Rodgers for 20th all-time.
The 2026 NFL season will mark the first time since 2001 that neither Carr nor his older brother David is on a league roster. David, the first overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft, struggled with the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers before backing up the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers from 2008 to 2012. He now works as an analyst for NFL Network.
