The NFL turned its attention from wondering what quarterback Aaron Rodgers is doing to expressing shock over Derek Carr’s sudden and unexpected retirement.
After spending nine seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, who drafted him in the second round in 2014, Carr spent two seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints had been concerned about their quarterback’s health as they began to plan for the 2025 season. In March, Carr discovered he had a shoulder injury. Testing showed a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.

Is the Derek Carr Situation Proof the Saints’ Front Office Is Inept?
According to NFL analyst Craig Carton on a recent episode of “Breakfast Ball” on Fox Sports 1, the Saints’ front office has completely failed. Carton noted that he expects to hear numerous members of the media link Rodgers with the Saints.
Carton said it is just a natural connection because the Saints are “desperate” and nothing has been finalized between Rodgers and the Steelers. However, he doesn’t think that will happen.
“I don’t think the answer’s yes, I think he’s going to Pittsburgh,” said Carton of Rodgers going to the Steelers, but the bigger concern is what happens in New Orleans. “This is a calamity of mismanagement right here, on multiple levels. First off, you have the Derek Carr contract that was crazy when he got it. It’s great he walks away from $37 million bucks this year.”
Carton added that he gives Carr a lot of credit for walking away from that much money, saying he wouldn’t have done it.
What do the Saints do now that Derek Carr has retired?@craigcartonlive: “This is a calamity of mismanagement right here.”@DannyParkins: “The plan is to a lose a lot of football games and draft Arch Manning.” pic.twitter.com/ECPq8IpeF4
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1)
Carton’s co-host, Danny Parkins, said that Carr certainly can’t complain about how much money he has made during his career. He cited a figure of almost $200 million, 16th overall out of all NFL players. Carton noted that it is especially impressive considering he has only made the playoffs once and has never won a postseason game.
“This is the difference between competent and incompetent front offices,” exclaimed Carton. “Derek Carr wasn’t all that great to begin with, and you have no backup plan. What’s the plan?!?!”
According to his co-hosts, the plan is to win only two games and then draft Arch Manning or Garrett Nussmeier during the 2026 NFL Draft.
While the whole thing might signal organizational disaster to the Breakfast Ball crew, Carton said one of the strangest things is this mystery injury. A couple of months before it was discovered, he said Carr appeared to be fine. He asked, “How do you come up with a shoulder problem when you haven’t played football in four and a half months?”
The current New Orleans quarterback room includes Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024; Tyler Shough, a second-round pick in 2025; and Jake Haener, a third-round selection in 2023.
Without a veteran, they are left with a group with minimal experience winning in the NFL. Haener has served as a backup, Rattler went 0-6 in 2024, and Shough has never played a single down of professional football.