New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement from the NFL this Saturday at the age of 34.
The decision was made due to an injury to the right shoulder.
It’s hard to find the right words to express our gratitude to everyone who supported me on this journey, but after reflecting, praying, and consulting with my wife Heather, I have decided to retire from the NFL.
Derek Carr
Carr ends his career after the 2024 season, one of the most challenging in his 11 years in the league, marked by various injuries.
During that campaign, he suffered a concussion and an injury to his left hand, in addition to the shoulder problem detected in March.
Carr started 27 games for the Saints, with a record of 14 wins and 13 losses.
The player reported feeling a strong pain in the right shoulder, with a diagnosis of a labrum tear and degenerative changes in the rotator cuff.
The necessary surgery could have sidelined him for the 2025 season and did not guarantee the full recovery of strength in his arm.
For over 11 years I have been blessed. This experience fills me with gratitude and humility. I thank teammates, coaches, managers, owners, and, especially, the fans who made this experience special. Their unconditional support has meant so much to me.
Derek Carr
Carr was selected in the second round of the 2014 Draft by the Raiders, a team with which he played until 2022.
In his 11 seasons in the NFL, he accumulated 41,245 yards, 257 touchdown passes, and 112 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 65.1%.
Carr’s retirement leaves the Saints with three quarterbacks for next season.
- Tyler Shough, rookie selected in the April Draft.
- Spencer Rattler, who joined the team in 2024.
- Jake Haener, who has been with the franchise since 2023.
None of the three have experience as a starter in the NFL.
