New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is hanging up his cleats.
The news broke Saturday morning after Carr was told he would need surgery to repair his shoulder. NFL and Saints insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Nick Underhill were the first on the story.
Previous back-and-forth reports discussed that Carr was avoiding an operation at all costs. The 34-year-old recently underwent multiple medical evaluations on the shoulder and tried other methods of recovery, such as rehab and injections. The only route to a full recovery was shoulder surgery. The recovery time for the operation would’ve been six months and put Carr on IR for the entirety of the 2025 season. Carr didn’t want that scenario to play out and decided to retire.
In a declaration by the organization, the Saints were quoted, saying, “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 at 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, 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. 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.”
Carr’s statement to the Saints was, “Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League. 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.”
Financially, both sides benefit. Carr’s retirement means that he’ll forego the $30 million guaranteed this season, while the organization won’t seek reimbursement for the $10 million roster and signing bonus.
In his two seasons in New Orleans, the former Fresno State Bulldog played in 27 out of 34 possible games, missing all seven in the 2024-25 season. In that span with the Saints, Carr suffered seven, including a hand injury that also reaggravated a previous shoulder injury that further damaged itself.
For a career, Carr threw for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns compared to 112 interceptions. Those stats are coming off a 65.1 completion percentage. With the Saints, Carr recorded 6,023 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 picks. He also had a 14-13 record as a starter in the Big Easy.
The current quarterback room for the Black and Gold stands with rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough as the presumptive starter with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener as the backups.