The 2025 NFL offseason has been one of the more newsworthy ones in recent memory. Whether it was shocking blockbuster trades, draft day shenanigans, or controversies galore, the football summer had it all. However, one of the more unexpected moments came even before the 2025 NFL Draft got underway when New Orleans Saints star and veteran quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement.
Despite an 11-year career in the league, it looked like Carr still had a lot left in the tank. Providing stability at the signal-caller position to the New Orleans Saints in the wake of Drew Brees’ departure, he gave them a consistently solid offense. However, his retirement has left them at a crossroads heading into the 2025 season. But what led to the premature end of the four-time Pro Bowler’s career?
Derek Carr Retirement
Drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, he was immediately elevated to the starting job for the then Oakland Raiders. Remaining the starter for close to a decade, Carr was a modicum of consistency and availability.
Never playing in fewer than 15 games in nine years with the organization, he solidified himself with four consecutive 4,000-passing-yard seasons, including a career-high 4,804 yards in 2021.
During that timeframe, he led his team to the playoffs on two separate occasions. Unfortunately, he did not suit up in their postseason game in 2016. When he did get his shot in 2021, the lone playoff game of his career, Carr put up 310 yards on 54 pass attempts.
Even though he rarely missed time during his tenure in the league, it was a testament to his spirit and competitiveness rather than an aversion to injuries. Despite any limitations or ailments, the franchise record holder for most passing yards in a game tried his best to be on the field come game time.
Over 11 years, those injuries started to pile on. Entering the 2025 offseason, Carr was coming off a brutal 2024 campaign. An oblique injury caused him to exit midway through a Week 5 clash against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Things didn’t improve even after he returned after missing three games. In Week 14, he fractured his hand while also suffering a concussion against the New York Giants. It immediately put an end to his season.
Eventually, it turned out that the veteran quarterback had suffered significant injuries to his shoulder. A labral tear in his right shoulder had been causing him longstanding pain, along with significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.
Surgery was on the table for Carr, but he instead chose to call it a career, citing his belief that he could not perform at the highest level anymore. “Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said in a press release.
“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.”
What’s Next for Carr?
It didn’t take long for Carr to return to the league he has called his home for more than a decade. Albeit in an analyst capacity, the former New Orleans Saints star showed off his incredible football IQ.
Here’s Derek Carr breaking down film — and mixing in a Jon Gruden impression — on the Chiefs-Chargers pregame show for YouTube. 🏈🎙️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/4LCbw8JjDC
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 5, 2025
Proving himself to be extremely knowledgeable, his breakdown of the international game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the season has already drawn rave reviews from fans.
As he broke down the film, his delivery was precise, accurate, and a welcome departure from the storyline-heavy discussions of sports media. After former quarterbacks like Troy Aikman and Tony Romo have taken extremely well to the role, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Carr is the next QB to follow in their footsteps.
