New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement due to a labral tear in his right shoulder and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. The 34-year-old, who played for 11 seasons after being drafted by the Oakland Raiders, had mixed success with the Saints after joining as a free agent in 2023. He ended his time in New Orleans with a record of 14-13 while dealing with various injuries that sidelined him for seven games last season.
Carr began experiencing pain in his throwing shoulder during offseason training, leading to his diagnosis. Although surgery was an option, it threatened to jeopardize his entire 2025 season, and the Saints expressed concerns that he might not regain his previous level of performance. The team initially kept Carr’s injury under wraps until just before the draft, prompting some speculation and criticism regarding the situation’s timing. Carr later addressed these criticisms during a sermon at a Las Vegas church.
During his career, Carr amassed impressive statistics, totaling 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions, but he retires without a playoff victory and a regular-season record of 77-92. In his retirement statement, Carr expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, and fans, reflecting on the blessings of his football journey.
His retirement coincides with the Saints selecting quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the draft, signaling a potential shift in the team’s quarterbacking future. Carr’s departure leaves the Saints with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener as other options, both of whom had limited success last season.
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