Derek Carr, the veteran quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, has announced his retirement due to a labral tear in his right shoulder and significant degenerative changes in his rotator cuff. At 34 years old, Carr has spent 11 seasons in the NFL since being drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2014. He joined the Saints in 2023 as a free agent but faced challenges on the field, finishing with a 14-13 record as a starter amid injuries that caused him to miss seven games last season.
The unexpected pain in his shoulder surfaced as he began offseason training, prompting medical evaluations that led to his retirement decision. Although surgery was an option, it posed a risk of sidelining him for the entire 2025 season without guaranteeing a return to his previous performance level. The Saints only acknowledged Carr’s injury publicly shortly before the NFL draft.
In a sermon at a Las Vegas church, Carr refuted critics who questioned the timing of his injury and the team’s initial silence regarding it. With career stats boasting 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and a regular-season record of 77-92, Carr retires without a playoff victory.
Carr expressed gratitude for the more than a decade in the league, mentioning the support from teammates, coaches, and fans. His retirement coincides with the Saints drafting Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round and the presence of second-year pro Spencer Rattler and third-year player Jake Haener on the roster, igniting speculation about the team’s future at quarterback.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
