In a scene not entirely different from the Andrew Luck retirement, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has decided to retire from the NFL, effective immediately. The announcement made on May 10 ends a career that dates back to 2014.
In total, the quarterback threw for 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions for his career. The New Orleans QB gave his explanation in a May 10 post by the Saints on Twitter.
Derek Carr Retires From Football
Carr is retiring due to injuries stemming from a right shoulder injury. Surgery was an option, and missing the entire 2025 season was not out of the question. Nevertheless, the Saints quarterback has decided it was time to step away.
Derek Carr has announced his retirement.
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… pic.twitter.com/SrcJEzDDnU
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 10, 2025
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” said Carr.
“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.”
Carr’s retirement comes after a 5-5 run with the Saints in an injury-plagued season. With New Orleans, Carr went 14-13, throwing for 40 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Before joining the Saints, Carr had spent nearly a decade with the Las Vegas Raiders, dating back to their time in Oakland, going 63-79 with the franchise and throwing for 217 touchdowns and 99 interceptions.
In 2024, Carr had the 11th-best QB+ metrics rating in the NFL, according to PFSN.
Carr’s Retirement Decision Leaves Saints at Worst Possible Time
The Saints quarterback’s availability for Week 1 of the 2025 season had already been in doubt. However, the timing of Carr’s decision may have doomed the franchise.
Luckily, New Orleans decided to pull the trigger on drafting rookie quarterback Tyler Shough out of Louisville in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That said, had Carr retired earlier before the draft, the calculus might have changed immensely.
The Saints had a shot at Jaxson Dart in the first round, and for what it’s worth, also could have ended up with Shedeur Sanders later in the draft to pair with Shough or Dart. Instead, the Saints’ QB for 2025 suddenly boils down to the rookie from Louisville, Spencer Rattler, or Jake Haener. Rattler threw for four touchdowns and five interceptions in 2024 with New Orleans. Haener threw for one touchdown and one interception.
In his final college season, Shough threw for 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. His next touchdown could now come as soon as Week 1.