After revealing he’s been approached by NFL teams about a possible return, retired quarterback Derek Carr is now headed to UCLA, where the 35-year-old will serve as a special advisor to head coach Bob Chesney.
‘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.
‘What stands out most is his passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people. Derek will have a tremendous impact on our players and is a great addition to our program.’
After coaching James Madison for two successful seasons, Chesney is taking over a Bruins program that dismissed head coach Deshaun Foster after an 0-3 start in 2025. Interim head coach Tim Skipper would go 3-6 the rest of the way while highly recruited quarterback and Tennessee transfer Nico Iamaleava had an up-and-down season.
Iamaleava is slated to be back under center for UCLA in 2026, this time with his brother Madden serving as his backup, but it’s anyone’s guess if the Bruins can take the next step in a crowded Big 10. The Bruins open their season on September 5 in Berkeley against the Cal Bears.
Carr played college football at Fresno State under offensive assistant Darrick Yray, who now serves as the Bruins general manager.
After revealing he’s been approached by NFL teams about a return, retired QB Derek Carr is now headed to UCLA, where the 35-year-old will serve as a special advisor to Bob Chesney
After coaching James Madison for two successful seasons, Chesney (pictured) is taking over a Bruins program that dismissed head coach Deshaun Foster after an 0-3 start in 2025
‘I’ve known Darrick for a long time and have great respect for the work he’s done throughout his career,’ Carr said. ‘The opportunity to help Coach Chesney, the staff and the quarterbacks at UCLA was one that really excited me. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and helping support the program in any way I can.’
Carr, who earned $205million and four Pro-Bowl selections throughout his 10-year career, shocked fans by hanging up his cleats in May 2025 due to a lingering shoulder injury.
Despite his health concerns, teams have checked in on his future plans, he recently revealed.
‘I never say never,’ Carr told the NFL Network on Friday when asked about coming out of retirement. ‘It would take a special situation.
‘There were multiple teams that reached out to me this offseason. I won’t say who or how, but they reached out and were gauging my interest on what I wanted to do. They were good, solid football teams.’
If he is to return to the NFL, the former Raiders and Saints signal caller wants to join a team with realistic ambitions of winning the Super Bowl.
‘I’m just at the point where I just want to win. I want to win,’ he added. ‘So if I were to do it, it would have to be a special team that maybe lost somebody or needed somebody, but even then, it’s not guaranteed.
‘I’m having too much fun hanging out with my wife, hanging out with my kids, and trying to get good at golf. So it would take a special deal.’
Iamaleava had an up-and-down season with the Bruins after transferring from Tennessee
Long-suffering Bruins fans have watched their team struggle in the Pac-12 and Big 10
By retiring last year, Carr forfeited his $30m guaranteed salary for 2025 with the Saints – in exchange for a $10m roster bonus he was paid.
Playing through the shoulder injury and surgery was considered before he decided to step away from his playing career.
Roughly 14 months later, Carr is keeping himself ticking over just in case the right team comes calling this offseason.
‘I’m always training,’ he said. ‘I’ll be in shape and ready, but probably not. I’ll probably be just coaching my kids.’
Carr’s NFL stats remain impressive despite his 77-92 record as a starter. Over 11 NFL seasons, the Fresno State product passed for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns compared to 112 interceptions. His lifetime completion rate of 65.1 percent is 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 are on a league roster. The first-overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft, David struggled with the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers before serving as a backup with the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers from 2008 to 2012. These days he is an analyst for NFL Network.
