Saints quarterback Derek Carr retiring due to shoulder injury

The status of Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been called into question throughout the offseason, as he’s dealing with a shoulder injury. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 34-year old quarterback has made a decision, choosing to retire from the NFL.

“Saints QB Derek Carr, dealing with a shoulder injury that requires surgery that would knock him out for the 2025 season, is retiring, per The Insiders,” Rapoport posted on X. “While Carr tried an injection and rehab, it wouldn’t allow him to be 100% until another procedure. Both sides move on.

“… Both sides gain financially — By retiring, Carr forgoes the $30M guaranteed this season. Meanwhile the Saints won’t seek reimbursement for the $10M roster bonus and signing bonus.”

The Saints released a statement on the matter, explaining what went into Carr’s decision: “Derek Carr has announced his retirement,” the team posted on X. “In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. Derek immediately contacted the Saints Medical Team.

“Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. Since that time, Derek, his representation, the Saints Medical Team and outside medical experts have worked together to determine the best path forward.

“Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed. Upon consultation with his wife, Heather, Derek has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the National Football League.”

Carr also provided a statement, reflecting on his NFL journey: “Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” said Carr, via the Saints on X. “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.”

After five seasons at Fresno State, Carr was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent nine seasons with the franchise, overseeing their move to Las Vegas and helping stabilize the team amid multiple coaching changes. He seemed primed for stardom earlier in his career, but injuries plagued him over the course of his time in the NFL.

He chose to join the Saints as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season, over teams like the New York Jets, who were reportedly interested. It was a solid fit, and Carr put up some good numbers, but New Orleans seemed to come up just short time and time again during his tenure. Now, Derek Carr will call it a career, at least for now.

As for New Orleans, the franchise drafted Tyler Shough out of Louisville with their second round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He joins Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in the team’s quarterback room. We’ll see if the Saints choose one of them to lead the team into the future, or dip into the free agent pool.