New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr decided to retire from the NFL with a shoulder injury, marking a shocking conclusion to a dramatic saga between the 34-year-old and the team.
The Saints announced Carr's decision hours before reporters were set to have access to rookie minicamp. The Saints drafted quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round last month after news that Carr's shoulder was injured broke in April.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said in a statement. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience.
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. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
The Saints said Carr experienced pain in his right throwing shoulder in late March when he attempted to throw for the first time “at significant volume” since he broke his non-throwing hand last December against the New York Giants.
Later tests revealed that Carr had sustained a labral tear and also had “significant ddegenerativechanges to his rotator cuff.” Though the quarterback weighed the possibility of getting surgery, the team’s news release said there was no guarantee that Carr would return to full strength.
Carr played two seasons with the Saints, going 14-13 as a starter after signing a four-year, $150 million contract in 2023. He spent the first nine seasons with the Raiders.
This is a developing story that will be updated.