The New Orleans Saints have confirmed that quarterback Derek Carr is retiring from the NFL following a significant shoulder injury. Discovered in late March, Carr was diagnosed with a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage in his right throwing shoulder.
This came after an attempt to resume throwing in preparation for the 2025 season. Compounding the issue, Carr had not thrown significantly since suffering a fractured non-throwing hand in December during a game against the New York Giants.
Surgery Too Risky, Carr Retires After 11-Year Career of Consistent Performance
Although surgery was considered as a possible path to recovery, the Saints and Carr ultimately decided against it. According to the team, surgery would have jeopardized his availability for the entire 2025 season and still carried no guarantee of full recovery or return to peak performance. In their official statement, the Saints emphasized the uncertainty of a successful outcome, leading Carr to make the difficult decision to retire.
Derek Carr (NFL)Derek Carr entered the league as a second-round pick by the Raiders in 2014 and played nine seasons with them before joining the Saints in 2023. His tenure in the NFL spanned 11 years, during which he signed a four-year contract with New Orleans worth up to $150 million. Carr started 169 games in his career and finished with a 77-92 win-loss record, throwing for over 41,000 yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions.
Carr Expresses Gratitude as Saints Turn to Young Quarterbacks for Future Leadership
In his retirement statement, Carr expressed deep gratitude for the journey and the people who supported him. He credited his decision to personal reflection and discussions with his wife, Heather.
Carr thanked teammates, coaches, management, fans, and others for their unwavering support, calling his time in the NFL a humbling and blessed experience. He acknowledged the emotional difficulty of walking away but expressed peace with the choice.
With Carr’s departure, the Saints’ quarterback lineup will look to younger talent for leadership. The team’s QB room now includes Tyler Shough, a 2025 second-round draft pick, Spencer Rattler, taken in the fifth round of 2024, and Jake Haener, selected in the fourth round in 2023.
Although rumors about Carr’s health had circulated since April, both the quarterback and the team remained largely silent until Carr made his first public comments in late April, confirming the injury and ongoing communication with the team.
