Saints QB Derek Carr Announces Retirement from NFL After 11 Seasons, Citing Shoulder Injury: What This Means for His Legacy

Derek Carr, a second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2014, quickly became their starting quarterback. Over nine seasons, he recorded 63 wins against 79 losses while throwing for 35,222 yards and 217 touchdown passes. He earned four Pro Bowl selections, showcasing his talent.

Carr holds several Raiders franchise records, including the most passing yards, completion percentage (64.6%), and highest passer rating (91.8). His ability to lead the team earned him recognition, as he was among just 14 quarterbacks in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons.

In 2016, Carr finished third in MVP voting with impressive stats, including 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions, though a broken leg ended his season early. Critics often debated his performance, with some arguing he couldn’t elevate the team’s success, while others pointed out the lack of strong support around him and the constant changes in coaching staff.

After a challenging 2022 season, the Raiders decided to bench Carr to avoid triggering contract guarantees as they planned to part ways. He was released in February 2023 and subsequently signed with the New Orleans Saints, reuniting with former Raiders head coach Dennis Allen for a four-year, $150 million deal.

During his time with the Saints, Carr had a 14-13 record, amassing 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions over two seasons. Unfortunately, injuries limited his final season to just 10 games. Carr also achieved 28 fourth-quarter comebacks, tying for 14th-most in NFL history and sharing the top spot for any quarterback since 2014.

With his retirement, Carr gave up $30 million guaranteed for the upcoming season, allowing the Saints to clear some salary cap space for 2026. This change creates an opportunity for rookie Tyler Shough to take over as the starting quarterback. Shough, who turns 26 in September, has impressed with his skills and is seen as a bright prospect by the team.

Since Drew Brees retired in 2020, the Saints have seen eight different starting quarterbacks, second most in the league. The hope within the organization is that Shough can bring stability to the position after a period of inconsistency. With Carr’s departure and the release of Ben DiNucci, the Saints have a young quarterback lineup, and adding experienced depth may be beneficial as the team moves forward.

For more about Derek Carr’s legacy and the current state of the Saints, you can check this article.

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