Derek Carr retires from NFL following serious shoulder injury
- Derek Carr's retirement is attributed to ongoing shoulder injuries that he has struggled with in recent seasons.
- He spent 11 seasons in the NFL, playing a total of 169 games and achieving notable passing statistics.
- Carr's retirement signals a challenging new era for the New Orleans Saints as they consider new quarterbacks for the upcoming season.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, in the United States, Derek Carr, the veteran quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, made a significant announcement regarding his future in professional football. After 11 seasons in the NFL, which included time with both the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and the Saints, Carr decided to retire due to a critical shoulder injury that ultimately jeopardized his playing career. The Saints revealed the specifics of the injury, confirming that Carr has been dealing with a labral tear as well as significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. Carr joined the Saints as a free agent in March 2023, securing a four-year contract valued at $150 million. Throughout his NFL journey, he played a total of 169 games, achieving impressive career stats with 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 65.1. However, Carr faced challenges during his tenure with the Saints, including lingering injuries that forced him to miss seven games last season. His performance was further hindered by multiple health issues, entailing a concussion and a broken hand. With the onset of offseason training in 2025, Carr experienced unexpected pain in his throwing shoulder, prompting a thorough evaluation of his condition. The Saints stated that while surgery was an option, it posed the risk of compromising his entire 2025 season, and there were uncertainties regarding Carr's ability to regain full strength. After much contemplation, including consultation with his wife Heather and personal reflection, Carr concluded that retirement was the best decision to protect his long-term health. The response to Carr's retirement was immediate and widespread, igniting conversations across social media platforms. Some former players and fans expressed surprise and sadness regarding the sudden end to his career, acknowledging Carr's contributions to the sport. His retirement also leaves a notable gap for the Saints, who had recently selected Tyler Shough from Louisville in the NFL Draft, signaling a potential shift towards new leadership within the team.