The New Orleans Saints will be starting a new quarterback in 2025 and beyond as the team announced Saturday that veteran Derek Carr is retiring after 11 NFL seasons.
Carr has been dealing with a right shoulder injury this offseason – described by the Saints as a labral tear along with significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. Carr sought out treatment options, including an injection and rehabilitation, but these did not resolve his issues. The injury now necessitates surgery that would sideline him for the entirety of the 2025 season, prompting him to retire instead.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr stated. “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.”
“A la reflexión, y en conversación con Heather, he decidido retirarme de la Liga Nacional de Fútbol Americano. Durante más de 11 años, hemos sido increíblemente bendecidos y estamos eternamente agradecidos por esta experiencia. Es difícil encontrar las palabras adecuadas para expresar nuestro agradecimiento a todos los compañeros, entrenadores, directivos, propietarios, funcionarios del equipo y, especialmente, a los aficionados que hicieron que este viaje fuera tan especial. Su apoyo inquebrantable ha significado el mundo para nosotros.”
Carr, a second-round pick of the former Oakland Raiders in 2014, spent nine years with the Raiders before joining New Orleans. He concludes his career with 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions across 169 games. He retires as one of only 24 quarterbacks to exceed 40,000 career passing yards and 250 passing touchdowns.
In 2024, he held a 5-5 record in 10 starts, throwing for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The victories Carr secured were the only ones the Saints achieved that season, as Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener combined for a winless 0-7.
Given Carr’s injury and the upcoming season’s uncertainty, the Saints drafted Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough with the 40th overall pick in the recent NFL Draft.
The search for the next long-term solution at quarterback will begin soon, with Shough likely to be given the first opportunity, especially considering the team’s commitment to him compared to Rattler and Haener, drafted by a previous coaching staff. However, the Saints may also explore options in the veteran free-agent market, which includes Aaron Rodgers and Carson Wentz, or investigate trades for Kirk Cousins.
