New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 34, citing a serious shoulder injury as the reason for his decision to step away from professional football. The former Pro Bowl quarterback made the announcement on Saturday morning, ending an 11-year career that included notable stints with the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Saints.
Carr said the decision came after extensive reflection and discussions with his wife, Heather. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience,” he said in a statement released by the Saints. “It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials and especially the fans who made this journey so special.”
The Saints revealed that Carr began experiencing pain in his right shoulder during preparations for the 2025 season, marking his first attempt at high-intensity throwing since suffering a concussion and hand injury on December 8. Medical scans revealed a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. While surgery was an option, it would have sidelined Carr for the entire season with no certainty of a full recovery.
In recent weeks, Carr addressed his injury publicly during a church service, emphasizing his belief in faith over external judgment. He used the occasion to share that what ultimately matters to him is not public opinion, but what he called “the word of God.”
Derek Carr leaves the game with over 41,200 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions, marking a distinguished career in which he was recognized as one of the league’s most consistent and respected quarterbacks. His older brother, David Carr, also played in the NFL, making the Carrs one of the league’s most prominent quarterback families.
