Derek Carr, the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, announced his retirement on Saturday. The 2014 second-round draft pick faced ongoing shoulder issues throughout the 2025 season and missed seven games last year due to a concussion and a broken hand.
In a statement, he mentioned, “After reflecting and praying, and discussing it with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the NFL.”
He expressed gratitude for more than 11 years in the league, acknowledging his teammates, coaches, and especially the fans for making his journey memorable.
The Saints confirmed in March that Carr’s injury led to a cleft lip and significant degenerative changes in his rotator cuff, putting the season at risk and indicating he may not regain his previous strength.
Over his career, Carr amassed impressive stats, throwing for 41,245 yards with 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times between 2015 and 2017. In 2016, he finished third in the NFL MVP voting, though his season was cut short by an ankle injury as the then-Oakland Raiders went 12-3.
Despite his success, Carr only participated in one playoff game, where the team lost 26-19 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 postseason.
Having started his career with the Raiders, where he was guaranteed a $100 million contract, he later signed a four-year deal with the Saints worth $150 million before the 2024 season. New Orleans subsequently selected Tyler Schaff from Louisville with the 40th pick in the NFL Draft.
