Saints QB Derek Carr, 34, Retires Over Shoulder Injury, Creating $30 Million in Cap Relief

73 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated May 10, 2025, 09:23 PM

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement on 10 May, ending an 11-year NFL career that included four Pro Bowl selections. The 34-year-old cited a debilitating right-shoulder injury as the reason for stepping away. The Saints said Carr suffered a labral tear and “significant degenerative changes” to his rotator cuff. Doctors advised that surgery would sideline him for as long as six months, and previous injections and rehabilitation failed to restore full strength. In a statement, Carr said that after “prayer and discussion” with his wife, Heather, he chose to retire rather than spend the 2025 season on injured reserve. Carr’s departure frees about $30 million in cash and salary-cap space that New Orleans had tied up in a restructured contract. He will keep a $10 million roster bonus paid in March, and the club does not plan to seek repayment of his signing bonus. Drafted by the Raiders in 2014, Carr departs as that franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He threw 257 touchdown passes and amassed roughly 41,000 yards, ranking among the league’s top 25 passers, and finished third in the 2016 MVP voting. Head coach Kellen Moore said the competition to replace Carr will be open among second-round rookie Tyler Shough, 2024 draftee Spencer Rattler and 2023 pick Jake Haener. All three will receive first-team reps during training camp, Moore added.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#New Orleans Saints #Derek Carr #NFL #Pro Bowl #Saints #Carr #Heather #New Orleans #Raiders #Kellen Moore #Tyler Shough #Spencer Rattler #Jake Haener #Moore

Related Prediction Markets

Will any free agent QB get more money than Myles Garret?

Which Soccer Players Will Sign With New Clubs?

Will the NFL ban the Tush Push?

•

View market suggestions→

Sources

nfl.com(8)si.com(6)nbcsports.com(3)nypost.com(3)

Sports Illustrated

@SInow

The Saints suddenly lost their starting quarterback following Derek Carr's retirement. @ConorOrr thinks it may be for the best https://t.co/VfwffP9mhA

FOX Deportes

@FOXDeportes

📰 After 11 seasons, Derek Carr retires from the NFL https://t.co/TRdJ8pZfcA. Find out more: ⬇️

Robert Griffin III

@RGIII

Derek Carr SHOCKINGLY retired. The Saints have 3 QBs nobody trusts. The 3 best options are: -Call Aaron Rodgers -Trade for Jameis Winston -Rebuild and tank for Arch Manning And here’s why⬇️ https://t.co/mGGeiM8aDx #Saints #NFL #AaronRodgers #OuttaPocket #WhoDat #RG3