Derek Carr Reveals Shocking Reason He Walked Away from $30M Guaranteed by the Saints to Retire Early

Derek Carr faced a crossroads that most of us could barely fathom: a guaranteed $30 million paycheck in 2025, waiting patiently whether he took the field or not. Yet, he chose a path few would dare—walking away from that colossal sum to retire, a move that stunned many and spoke volumes about his character. Battling a shoulder injury severe enough to require surgery and sidelining him for the season, Carr could’ve easily collected the money and called it a day. But deep down, he knew that sitting out while healing wasn’t the right story he wanted to tell. In a candid chat with Front Office Sports, Carr peeled back the layers on why foregoing the payday felt like the only honorable choice—for himself and the Saints. It’s a rare kind of integrity in a world driven by dollars, and it marks the end of a remarkable football journey that earned him nearly $200 million over 11 seasons. This isn’t just about money—it’s about heart, purpose, and knowing when to step away on your terms. LEARN MORE.AdvertisementCarr’s 2025 season and ultimately his career were in jeopardy thanks to a shoulder injury he sustained because of football. Had he remained on the roster, he would have undergone season-ending surgery and sat on the sideline. And he would have collected million in salary.But he turned it down to opt for retirement while walking away from way more money that the vast majority of people will see over the course of their lifetimes. Carr explained his decision in an interview published Wednesday by Front Office Sports.

But he turned it down to opt for retirement while walking away from way more money that the vast majority of people will see over the course of their lifetimes. Carr explained his decision in an interview published Wednesday by Front Office Sports.

“I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery,” Carr said. “And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100%, and so that doesn’t help them, either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team.”AdvertisementDerek Carr was due million in guaranteed salary in 2025, whether or not he played a snap for the New Orleans Saints.