Derek Carr is no longer with the Raiders — he was released after the 2022 season, signed with the New Orleans Saints, and later retired in 2025, though there’s still light chatter about a possible comeback.

What Happened to Carr from the Raiders?

1. The End of the Raiders Era

  • The Raiders benched Derek Carr late in the 2022 season for performance reasons, not injury.
  • In early 2023, Carr said goodbye to the organization as the team began evaluating trade and release options.
  • He left holding essentially every major passing record in franchise history, which made the split feel like the end of an era for a lot of fans.

Many Raiders fans saw this as a “heartbreaking end to a promising era,” because Carr had been the face of the team for nearly a decade.

2. After the Raiders: Saints and Retirement

  • After his release, Carr signed with the New Orleans Saints and became their starting quarterback.
  • By 2024, he was still with the Saints, though injuries (like a left-hand issue) began to limit his availability.
  • On May 10, 2025, Carr made a sudden retirement announcement, which hit Raider Nation and his supporters hard; fan tributes framed it as the closing chapter for a “once a Raider, always a Raider” leader.

So in simple terms: he finished his actual on‑field career away from the Raiders, as a Saint, then retired.

3. Is He Really Done? 2026 Rumors and Talk

Even though he retired, Carr’s name is still floating around in 2026:

  • There have been discussions and jokes from Carr and his brother about a possible return to the NFL if the right coaching situation appears.
  • With the Raiders holding the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft and expected to take a young QB, his return to the team is seen more as talk-show/speculation material than a likely move.
  • Some Raiders-focused outlets are still asking if Carr could be a veteran option for the team in 2026, but it’s more “what if” chatter than a real, confirmed plan.

Think of it like this: officially retired, unofficially still a name people bring up whenever the Raiders’ QB situation looks shaky.

4. Carr and the Raiders Today: Still Connected

Interestingly, Carr still pops up in Raiders conversations for other reasons:

  • He’s publicly commented on Raiders news , especially around star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and possible trade drama, warning the team that moving Crosby could have huge consequences.
  • In a more recent 2026 piece, Carr talked about how angry and motivated Crosby could be after a failed trade to the Ravens, saying he might be the type of player who “gets coaches fired” with his dominance.

So even though he’s not a Raider anymore, Carr still has opinions about the franchise and remains part of Raider Nation’s broader story.

5. Quick Timeline (Mini-Recap)

  1. 2014–2022 – Derek Carr is the Raiders’ starting QB and franchise face.
  1. Late 2022 – Surprise benching over performance; he steps away from the team.
  1. January 2023 – Official farewell message to Raiders; team starts trade/release process.
  1. 2023–2024 – Plays for the New Orleans Saints as their starting QB.
  1. May 10, 2025 – Announces retirement, sparking emotional tributes from Raider Nation.
  1. 2026 – Retirement stands, but media/fans occasionally speculate about a comeback, even linking him back to the Raiders in hypotheticals.

6. SEO Quick Scoop (for your post)

  • Focus phrase: “what happened to Carr from the Raiders” – Answer upfront: he was benched and released after 2022, signed with the Saints, then retired in 2025, with only speculative talk of any return.
  • Add context: mention his emotional exit, records with the Raiders, Saints stint, and current 2026 rumor mill.
  • Forum-style angle: highlight fan feelings (“heartbreaking end,” “once a Raider, always a Raider”) and debate whether the Raiders are better off at QB now.

TL;DR: Carr from the Raiders = Derek Carr. He was benched and released after the 2022 season, joined the Saints, retired in 2025, and in 2026 is mostly a topic of nostalgia and speculation rather than an active Raider.