Derek Carr and his wife posing on fieldDerek Carr and his wife (Photo via Twitter)

According to the Saints’ official statement, Carr’s lingering shoulder issues made it increasingly difficult for him to perform at the level he expected of himself. After multiple consultations with doctors and his family, he decided it was best to step away from the game for good. Carr finishes his career with over 39,000 passing yards and four Pro Bowl selections, cementing his place as one of the most respected quarterbacks of his era. While his time with the Saints was brief, Carr’s leadership and professionalism left a lasting impression on the franchise and the league as a whole.

The reason for Derek Carr’s shocking retirement has been revealed following an announcement from the New Orleans Saints and their veteran quarterback.

The organization revealed that Carr is calling it quits in a social media post on Saturday, with Carr set to walk away from the NFL after an 11-year career.

Carr, a former Fresno State standout, joined the Saints in 2023 after spending the first nine years of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders.

He has opted to retire because of a shoulder injury, which the team outlined in a statement.

According to the Saints, Carr sustained a labral tear in March while preparing for the 2025 NFL season, with scans also detecting “significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.”

 

The team noted that, “Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed.”

Derek Carr Explains In His Own Words

Derek Carr throwing a footballDerek Carr (Photo via Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Derek Carr said he prayed about the situation and discussed it with his wife, Heather, before deciding that retirement was best for his family and the team.

“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” he said in a statement.

He added:

“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.”

Carr leaves the NFL with career totals of 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions.

We wish him the very best in retirement.