New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is retiring due to a shoulder injury, the team announced last Saturday.
His decision will give New Orleans $30 million in cash and cap relief, and in exchange, the team will not seek reimbursement of his $10-million roster bonus, according to Mike Garafolo.
Carr experienced more pain in his right shoulder in late March while ramping up his preparation for 2025. Medical scans determined the 34-year-old sustained a labral tear and had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff, the Saints said in a statement.
After doing rehab at first, Carr then considered potentially doing surgery. Surgery most likely would have wiped out the entire 2025 season, so Carr decided to retire, as there was no guarantee he’d return to the level of strength and performance that he was accustomed to, the Saints added.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with (my wife) Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special.”
Carr’s uncertain status has dominated recent headlines in New Orleans after it was reported in April a shoulder injury threatened his 2025 season. Details remained unclear damn near since the beginning of the issue, until last Saturday’s announcement.
The Saints did selectquarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 draft due to the lack of clarity surrounding Carr. Shough was the first quarterback taken by the franchise in the first two rounds since Archie Manning in 1971.
With Carr gone, the Saints’ quarterback room is now filled by the rookie Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener, who’s entering his third season. It’s remains unclear who will be the starter, but my guess would be Shough if he is ready.
Head coach Kellen Moore signaled a three-way competition for the starting job, saying Saturday he was “going to let all three of these guys roll,” according to Adam Schefter.
A second rounder for the then Oakland Raiders in 2014, Carr spent the first nine years of his career with the AFC West squad. He made four Pro Bowls during that span and compiled a 63-79 record with 217 touchdowns against 99 interceptions.
Carr put up a 12-3 record as a starter in 2016, leading the Raiders to their first playoff appearance since 2002, though he didn’t play due to a fractured fibula suffered in Week 16. Carr finished third in MVP voting that season, passing for 28 touchdowns to only six interceptions. He led the Raiders back to the playoffs in 2021, but the Cincinnati Bengals defeated him in his first and only postseason start in the wild-card round.
Carr signed a four-year, $150-million deal with the Saints after the Raiders released him following the 2022 season. He produced a 14-13 record over two seasons in New Orleans with 40 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He missed seven games in 2024, first with an oblique injury and later with a fractured left hand that ended his year.
Carr managed to earn over 200+ million dollars in his career as well, so not too shabby for the former Fresno State product. Congrats to Derek Carr on one hell of a career!!!
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler and on YouTube
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