In the latest stunning twist of a tumultuous offseason, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is retiring from the NFL.
The news comes after weeks of rumors and reports surrounding a mysterious shoulder injury that threatened his 2025 season. Carr was reportedly in New Orleans meeting with doctors earlier this month. The team announced his decision Saturday morning.
"Upon reflection of prayer and in discussion with Heather, I've decided to retire from the National Football League," Carr said in a statement. "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 injury is officially being called a labrum tear that accompanied "significant degenerative changes" to the QB's rotator cuff, issues that were confirmed by medical imaging. As reported, the injury is believed to occur during the 2024 win over the Giants in which Carr dove for a first down, also suffering a fractured left hand and a concussion. The issue was discovered, according to the team, when Carr began to ramp up throwing this offseason.
Per the team's statement, Carr has been in communication since the injury was discovered and doctors have been working to determine the best plan to move forward. There was an option of surgery, which would've likely meant missing the 2025 season, but there was no guarantee that the necessary level of strength and functionality to play quarterback at an NFL level would've ever returned.
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The decision brings to an end a saga that was underscored largely by radio silence from the team, punctuated only by limited statements from Saints GM Mickey Loomis who limited his statements leading up to the NFL draft to the fact that the team was aware of the injury and that they hoped to reach a resolution soon. Carr hasn't spoken publicly beyond a church sermon in Las Vegas where he spoke to "lies" that had been spread regarding his injury status and significant family challenges.
The retirement would end an 11-year NFL career that began with Carr drafted in the second round by the Raiders in 2014. He's started 169 NFL games and his 41,245 yards ranks No. 22 in NFL history. Carr has spent the past two years with the Saints, compiling a record of 14-13 while completing 68.2 percent of his passes for 6,023 yards and 40 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. The Saints went 9-8 in Carr's first season in New Orleans, but he was limited to 10 games in Year 2 due to injuries and the team scuffled to a record of 5-12.
From a financial perspective the decision should be something of a best-case scenario for the Saints, with the team previously on the hook for $20 million this season and another $60 million beyond that. The Saints should be able to recoup a significant amount of that number due to Carr's retirement, giving them improved flexibility going forward.
The Saints gave a glimpse of that path forward last month when they selected Louisville QB Tyler Shough at No. 40 overall. Barring a veteran free agent signing, Shough will content with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in the Saints QB room to take over for Week 1 of the 2025 season, with the team led by new head coach Kellen Moore
Check back for updates.