Derek Carr, who played for the New Orleans Saints, has decided to retire from the NFL after 11 seasons.
He made this choice because he has a problem with his right shoulder that would have required surgery and kept him from playing in the 2025 season.
Instead of having another operation, Carr chose to retire. This decision helps him financially, as he does not need to take a $30 million payment, and it also benefits the Saints because they won’t have to try to recover any money they paid him.
During his career, Carr was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times and threw for over 41,000 yards. In 2016, he was one of the top three players for the MVP award.
With Carr leaving, the Saints are now considering other quarterbacks to take his place, including Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener.
This retirement has also started conversations about up-and-coming talents like Arch Manning in future drafts.
In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder.
It was his first time throwing a football ata significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. Derek immediately contacted the Saints Medical Team.
Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.
Since that time, Derek, his representation, the Saints Medical Team and outside medical experts have worked together to determine the best path forward.
Surgery was an option, jeopardising the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed.
Upon consultation with his wife, Heather, Derek has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the National Football League.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” said Carr.
“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. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
