New Orleans – New Orleans veteran veteran, Derek Carr, decided to retire because of a tear on his right shoulder and “significant degenerative changes” in his rotator cuff, the team announced on Saturday.
Carr, 34, has played for 11 professional seasons since he was selected outside the state of Fresno for the then Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He was acquired by The Saints as a free agent in 2023, but had results mixed in New Orleans, going 14-13 as a starter while fighting oblique, hand, and head injuries that made him lose seven games last season.
Carr, who was entering the third year of a four -year and $ 150 million contract, felt unexpected pain in his throwing shoulder when he began to increase his off -season, which led to the diagnosis that now interrupted his career.
“The surgery was an option, taking at risk the entire season of 2025, but there was no guarantee that Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of the game to which he was used to,” the saints said in a written announcement.
The saints did not recognize the injury of Carr until the day before the draft. Carr did not speak publicly about the injury until a few days later, when he handed a guest sermon to a Las Vegas church. In that sermon, Carr said his critics were “lying” about him when they questioned the unusual moment of the injury, as well as the initial retirement of the team and Carr to resolve it openly or answer questions about it.
Carr has total of 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions. He retires with a 77-92 record of the regular season as a starter and without winning a playoff game.
Carr said he made the decision in consultation with his wife, Heather, and “in the reflection of prayer.”
“For over 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed and we are eternally grateful and humiliated by this experience,” Carr said. “It’s hard to find the right words to express our thanks to all teammates, coaches, administration, property, team staff, and especially fans who have made this journey so special.”
The decision also occurs after New Orleans used a high second round draft option to select Louisville Tyler Shough as an initial future quarterback-although if you should see the speed with which it may be ready for that role.
Other QBs on the Santos list include Pro Spencer Rattler of the second year and the third year player Jake Haener, who recorded a victory among them in seven games last season, six of which Rattler began.