Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback, has announced his retirement due to a labral tear in his right shoulder and significant degenerative changes in his rotator cuff, as confirmed by the team on Saturday. The 34-year-old Carr, who played 11 NFL seasons, was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2014 and joined the Saints as a free agent in 2023. His tenure in New Orleans was marked by challenges, including injuries that caused him to miss seven games last season, resulting in a 14-13 record as a starter.
Carr’s decision followed unexpected pain in his throwing shoulder while increasing his training intensity this offseason. The Saints noted that surgery was an option, risking the possibility of not returning to his previous performance level. The team chose not to disclose Carr’s injury until just before the NFL Draft, and he addressed the situation publicly days later during a church sermon, where he defended himself against critics questioning the timing of his injury disclosure.
Throughout his career, Carr amassed 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions, but he never won a playoff game, ending with a regular-season record of 77-92. Reflecting on his journey, Carr expressed gratitude to teammates, coaches, and fans, alongside his wife, Heather, whom he consulted before making the decision. The Saints have since invested in potential future quarterback Tyler Shough, selected in the second round of the draft, while also retaining second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and third-year player Jake Haener on their roster.
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