New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his immediate retirement from professional football earlier today. The decision, coming after 11 seasons in the league, is attributed to a significant right shoulder injury that would require extensive surgery and a prolonged rehabilitation period, effectively sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025-2026 season.
Carr, 34, revealed the news in a heartfelt statement released by the Saints organization. He cited a labral tear and what the team described as “significant degenerative changes” to his rotator cuff as the reasons behind his premature departure from the sport.
These issues reportedly stem from an injury sustained during the 2024 season, where he suffered a left hand fracture in a game against the New York Giants on December 8th. While he cleared concussion protocol after a hit in the same game, Carr had been experiencing persistent discomfort in his right shoulder since that time, a condition he believes was exacerbated by an earlier AC joint sprain in 2023 that never fully healed.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with my wife Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr1 stated. “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.2 Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
The3 Saints corroborated Carr’s statement, acknowledging the severity of the injury and the extensive recovery that would be necessary. “Medical evaluations determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff,” the team explained in their official release.
“Surgery was an option, jeopardizing 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.”5
This unexpected retirement creates an immediate void at the quarterback position for the New Orleans Saints. Carr joined the team in 2023 after spending his first nine seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, who drafted him in the second round (36th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State. In his two seasons with the Saints, Carr started 27 games, amassing 6,023 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. His overall NFL career statistics include 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions across 169 regular-season games. He earned four Pro Bowl selections during his time in the league (2015-2017, 2022) and led the Raiders to their first playoff appearance in 14 years in 2016.
The timing of Carr’s retirement is particularly significant as it occurs shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. The Saints had already addressed the quarterback position by selecting Tyler Shough in the second round.
Now, with Carr’s official retirement, Shough, along with second-year player Spencer Rattler (a 2024 fifth-round pick), and third-year quarterback Jake Haener (a 2023 fourth-round selection), will likely be thrust into a competition for the starting role. Head coach Kellen Moore indicated earlier today that he intends to have an open quarterback competition during training camp.
Financially, Carr’s retirement has significant implications for both the player and the Saints organization. Reportedly, Carr will forgo approximately $30 million in fully guaranteed salary for the 2025 season. In return, the Saints will not seek to recover the remaining portion of his signing bonus. This move provides the team with substantial salary cap relief as they navigate the sudden change in their quarterback situation.
Shoulder injuries are unfortunately common in the NFL, particularly among quarterbacks due to the repetitive throwing motion and the risk of direct contact. History is replete with examples of quarterbacks whose careers have been impacted or shortened by shoulder ailments.
The severity of Carr’s labral tear and the presence of degenerative changes, however, painted a challenging picture for his ability to return to his previous level of performance.
As the NFL world processes this news, the focus in New Orleans will undoubtedly shift to the future of their quarterback position. The development of Shough, Rattler, and Haener will be closely monitored as the Saints prepare for the 2025 season without their veteran leader under center. Carr’s eleven-year career, marked by both individual accolades and team leadership, comes to an unexpected end due to the physical toll of the game. His contributions to the Raiders and the Saints will be remembered as the league moves forward.
Be the first to comment