New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement from the NFL due to a serious injury in his throwing shoulder, the team confirmed on Saturday. Medical evaluations revealed a labral tear and notable degenerative damage in his right rotator cuff.
Carr, 34, played 11 seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the second round in 2014 by the then-Oakland Raiders out of Fresno State. He joined the Saints as a free agent in 2023 and went 14-13 as their starter. Throughout his time in New Orleans, he dealt with several injuries—including to his oblique, hand, and head—which caused him to miss seven games last season.
His retirement comes while he was still under contract, entering year three of a four-year, $150 million deal. Carr reportedly began feeling unusual pain in his shoulder during offseason training. Subsequent medical testing confirmed the severity of the injury, ending his career earlier than expected.
“Surgery was an option, but it would have jeopardized the entire 2025 season, and there was no guarantee he’d regain his prior level of performance,” the Saints said in a statement.
The team didn’t publicly acknowledge Carr’s shoulder issue until just before the NFL Draft. Carr himself remained quiet about the injury until he spoke at a church in Las Vegas days later. During that appearance, he addressed critics who questioned the timing and handling of the announcement, saying accusations that he was hiding details were false.
Carr retires with 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions over his career. Despite his long tenure, he finishes with a 77-92 record as a starter and never won a playoff game.
Carr shared that his decision was made after much prayer and discussion with his wife, Heather. “For over 11 years, we’ve been incredibly blessed. I’m deeply grateful to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team staff, and especially the fans who made this journey so meaningful,” he said.
His retirement follows the Saints’ selection of Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with a high second-round draft pick, signaling a potential plan for the future at the position. The team also has Spencer Rattler, now entering his second season, and third-year quarterback Jake Haener. Together, Rattler and Haener played in seven games last season but recorded just one win, with Rattler starting six of those contests.
