Derek Carr, one of the most beloved Fresno State players of all-time for hitting numerous milestones, shockingly called it a career Saturday morning.
The New Orleans Saints quarterback announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons. Both the franchise and Carr himself confirmed the move via a press release.
"Upon reflection and prayer, and in discussion with Heather [Carr], I've decided to retire from the National Football League," Carr begins in his statement. "For more than 11 years, we've been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience."
Carr thanked everyone from teammates, coaches, management, ownership and fans in his statement.
"You're unwavering support meant the world to us," Carr said.
(Photo: Cooper Neill, Getty)
Carr is making this decision based off his lingering shoulder injury. He experienced pain in his right shoulder (throwing area). Surgery, however, would've jeopardized playing in the 2025 season.
"There was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed," the Saints wrote in a release.
Carr leaves the NFL racking up 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions. He threw 4,149 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 picks in his two seasons down in the Big Easy.
He earned his best NFL success with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders – the franchise that drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Carr played in four Pro Bowls as a Raider; including making three straight nods between 2015 to 2017. Carr and the Raiders reached their best in 2016 with a 12-3 record before he suffered a season-ending injury.
The Bakersfield native became revered in the Central Valley before his NFL career took off. Carr claimed the 2012 and 2013 Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year awards.
He tallied a nation-leading 5,083 passing yards and tossed 50 touchdowns in the 2013 season – the year he led the Bulldogs to the outright MW title. Carr also led the Bulldogs to a shared MW championship in 2012. His number has since been retired by the university – with the ceremony happening on Sept. 2, 2017.
The Saints could now turn the franchise over to another past Bulldog great in Jake Haener. New Orleans is down to him, Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough as its QB options post-Carr.