Derek Carr Announces Retirement from NFL

Veteran quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement from the National Football League after 11 seasons. The announcement, made Saturday, comes after Carr battled various injuries, including a shoulder injury that threatened his availability for the 2025 season. Last year, he missed seven games due to a concussion and a fractured hand.

"Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League," Carr, 34, said in a statement, referencing his wife and the personal considerations that factored into his decision.

Carr expressed gratitude for his time in the league. "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."

The New Orleans Saints, Carr’s most recent team, disclosed in March that he had sustained a labral tear in his shoulder. Further evaluations revealed significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. Team officials stated that undergoing surgery to repair the damage would jeopardize his participation in the upcoming season, with no guarantee that he would regain his previous level of strength and performance. These medical factors undoubtedly played a significant role in his decision to retire.

Carr leaves the NFL with a distinguished career, accumulating 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions. He earned four Pro Bowl selections, representing the league’s elite, during a span from 2015 to 2017.

In 2016, Carr enjoyed a particularly outstanding season, finishing third in the NFL MVP voting. However, his aspirations for a championship run were derailed when he suffered a broken ankle. During that season, playing for the Oakland Raiders, Carr led the team to a 12-3 record and playoff contention. The injury effectively sidelined him for the postseason, preventing him from leading the Raiders in their playoff appearance.

Despite his impressive career statistics and Pro Bowl accolades, Carr’s playoff experience was limited. He participated in only one playoff game, a 26-19 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild-card round of the 2021 postseason. The Bengals subsequently went on to become Super Bowl champions, leaving Raiders fans to wonder what could have been had Carr been healthy.

Carr’s NFL journey began with the Oakland Raiders, where he spent his first nine seasons after being drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Prior to the 2024 season, Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, including $100 million in guaranteed money. His time in New Orleans spanned 27 games, during which he completed 68.2% of his passes for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. While his numbers with the Saints were respectable, they did not translate into the level of team success that both he and the organization had hoped for.

The Saints have already begun looking to the future, selecting Tyler Shough, a quarterback from Louisville, with the 40th pick in the recent NFL Draft. This selection suggests the team is preparing for a new era at the quarterback position following Carr’s departure.

The decision to retire is rarely easy for professional athletes, and Carr’s case is no exception. The combination of nagging injuries, the inherent physical demands of playing quarterback in the NFL, and the long-term implications for his health likely contributed significantly to his final decision. The Saints’ acknowledgement of his labral tear and degenerative changes to his rotator cuff indicates a challenging road to recovery, potentially diminishing his effectiveness on the field.

Ultimately, Derek Carr’s career will be remembered for his impressive statistics, his Pro Bowl appearances, and his leadership both on and off the field. While he did not achieve the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, he leaves a lasting legacy in the NFL. His time with the Raiders showcased his talent and potential, while his stint with the Saints added another chapter to his career. His retirement marks the end of an era for both organizations and the league as a whole.

The football world now awaits Carr’s next chapter, as he transitions from the gridiron to new endeavors. Whether he chooses to pursue coaching, broadcasting, or other ventures, his experience and knowledge of the game will undoubtedly be valuable. The NFL community wishes him well in his retirement.