Derek Carr is walking away from football.
The New Orleans Saints quarterback announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday. Carr cited effects from a right shoulder injury played a significant factor in his decision.
Carr experienced shoulder pain in March while ramping up for the 2025 season. After being evaluated by doctors it was revealed Carr had labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. Carr said in a statement on the Saints official website he consulted with doctors and surgery was an option but it would jeopardize the 2025 season and it wouldn’t guarantee a full recovery in strength and function, ultimately leading the quarterback to retirement.
“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. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
The 34-year-old quarterback played 11 seasons in the NFL, spending his final two with the Saints. He passed for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 27 regular season games, resulting in a 14-13 record as a starter in the Big Easy.
New Orleans selected quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and the rookie now becomes the favorite to win the starting job. The Saints also have quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener on their depth chart.
Carr was originally selected in the second round by the then-Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Fresno State, 12 years after his brother David was drafted first overall by the Houston Texans.
Derek Carr played his first nine seasons with the Raiders and helped usher the franchise to Las Vegas in 2020. He holds many Raiders passing records, including most passing yards and touchdown passes.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback compiled 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions in 169 career regular-season games. He had a 77-92 career record as a starter.
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