Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Saints QB Derek Carr Shocks NFL with Retirement at Age 34

Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Derek Carr, a former NFL quarterback, carved out a notable 11-year career with the Oakland Raiders/Las Vegas Raiders, and the New Orleans Saints. Carr spent 9 seasons playing for the Las Vegas Raiders (formerly known as Oakland Raiders), and played his final two years for the New Orleans Saints. Born in Bakersfield, California, he starred at Freshno State and earned first-team All-Mountain West honors twice. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler, and he set the Raiders franchise record for passing yards with 35,222, touchdowns with 217, and completions with 3201. Despite what everyone says, Carr was a winner in his prime and is arguably one of the clutchest players in NFL history as he has 13th most game-winning drives with 35.

Saints QB Derek Carr is retiring after 11 seasons. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/irJJ7PVV7V
— NFL (@NFL) May 10, 2025

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Despite being a great quarterback, Carr’s legacy will be questioned a little as he never won a single playoff game in his career, and could not lead his team to a Super Bowl trophy.

Derek Carr NFL Draft: When was Derek Carr drafted?

Derek Carr was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, as the 36th overall pick. He spent 9 seasons playing for the Raiders, and set the franchise record for most passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. However, except for 2021, he could not lead him team to playoff appearances, and that will always be a stain in his 11-year NFL career.

Derek Carr’s Career Earnings

Derek Carr has now retired from playing football in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and he will now give up $30 million in guaranteed 2025 salary. He will keep a $10 million roster bonus that will be earned in March, and avoids repaying part of his $28.5 million 2023 signing bonus. However, even though he’s leaving the $30 million behind, Carr has still surpassed $200 million in career earnings, and the agreement between the Saints and Carr has been clean, without financial disputes, benefiting both sides.

Why Did Derek Carr Retire?

Derek Carr is currently struggling with a shoulder injury, and that will continue to be the case. Carr had a rotator cuff damage on his right shoulder, the arm he uses to throw the football. Carr released a statement which said, “Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussions with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from National Football League.”

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

What Does Derek Carr’s Retirement Mean for the Saints?

Now that Derek Carr has retired, the Saints still have three quarterbacks in rookie QB Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener. According to reports, we can expect a stiff competition between Shough and Rattler for the QB1 spot. All of the spotlight will now be on the rookie QB and Rattler, as we’ll get to see who will eventually become the starting QB for the Saints.

Also Read: ‘Cowboys a Playoff Contending Team This Season’ – NFL Analyst Believes the George Pickens Trade to the Cowboys Is Key to the Postseason

Derek Carr

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.