Saints’ Derek Carr Abruptly Announces Retirement: What His Shocking Shoulder Injury Really Means for His Future

It’s never easy to watch a seasoned pro step away from the game, especially when injury calls the final whistle—Derek Carr’s decision to retire is one of those heavy moments in the NFL world. The New Orleans Saints quarterback, who’s battled through pain and persistent shoulder issues, has finally opted to hang up his cleats after learning surgery is the only real fix. This marks the end of an 11-year journey marked by grit, perseverance, and unmistakable talent, even as recent setbacks with a labral tear and rotator cuff degeneration made the pain impossible to ignore. You could almost feel the weight of this choice; Carr’s statement, made after careful thought and prayer with his wife, Heather, reveals a man ready to turn the page rather than risk a grueling recovery that would sideline him indefinitely. It’s a bittersweet moment for Saints fans and the wider football community alike—acknowledging not just the raw stats of 6,000-plus yards and 40 touchdowns in New Orleans, but the true human story beneath those numbers. The franchise is already looking ahead, embracing a quarterback competition that speaks to the ever-turning wheel of the NFL. It’s a reminder—no matter how stellar the career, the game goes on. LEARN MORE.

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Carr confirmed his retirement decision, made with his wife Heather, with a statement on social media.

“Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.”

Carr played his previous nine seasons with the Raiders, compiling 35,222 yards, 257 TDs and 112 INTs, while being named to four Pro Bowls and finishing third in MVP voting during the 2016 season. He threw for over 4,000 yards four times during his NFL career, reaching a career-high of 4,804 in 2021, and finished just under the 4,000-yard mark two additional times.

Carr played his previous nine seasons with the Raiders, compiling 35,222 yards, 257 TDs and 112 INTs, while being named to four Pro Bowls and finishing third in MVP voting during the 2016 season. He threw for over 4,000 yards four times during his NFL career, reaching a career-high of 4,804 in 2021, and finished just under the 4,000-yard mark two additional times.

“In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder,” the team said in a statement. “It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. Derek immediately contacted the Saints Medical Team.”Yes, I have to say this,” Carr said. “I hate that I have to say this, but I have to say this. Yes, I have a shoulder injury, despite what ESPN says. And what some lady on a podcast might think, OK?”While speaking at a church service in Las Vegas recently, Carr revealed his shoulder was injured, disputing skepticism about its seriousness.Carr had two years remaining on the four-year, 0 million contract he signed with the Saints in 2023. But the team restructured the deal to effectively make it a one-year agreement while allowing New Orleans to save approximately million on its salary cap. Carr will keep the million roster bonus he received in that reworking, in addition to the prorated amount of the .5 million signing bonus that was part of his original deal.