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Derek Carr Shows True Character With NFL Contract Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 11:10 PM ET

Last month, Derek Carr shocked the NFL community by announcing his retirement. As part of that move, he made an interesting financial decision.

According to multiple reports, Carr learned that he had a torn right labrum and "significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff" earlier this offseason. He could've underwent surgery, but that would've ended his 2025 season before it even started.

Instead of going under the knife, Carr decided to hang up his cleats.

"Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League," Carr said. "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."

Carr gave up $30 million by choosing to retire this offseason. On Wednesday, he spoke to Front Office Sports about his decision.

Carr said he didn't want to take the Saints' money without actually contributing. That's why he was willing to forgo $30 million.

"I didn’t want to have surgery and just sit there and — it sounds crazy but — just take the Saints money," Carr told Front Office Sports.

"I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery. And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100 percent, and so that doesn’t help them, either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team."

That's a classy decision by Carr, who'll finish his NFL career with 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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