New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has officially announced his retirement from the NFL.
In late March, while increasing his training intensity for the 2025 season, Carr began experiencing pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing at full capacity since recovering from a concussion and a left hand injury he sustained on December 8, 2024. He promptly reached out to the Saints’ medical staff.
Subsequent medical evaluations revealed that Carr had suffered a labral tear along with notable degenerative damage in his rotator cuff.
Since then, Carr, his representatives, the Saints’ medical team, and outside specialists have worked together to determine the best course of action. While surgery was an option, it would have put the entire 2025 season at risk, and even then, there was no certainty he’d return to his previous level of performance.
After thoughtful conversations with his wife, Heather, Carr has concluded that stepping away from football is the best decision for both his family and the Saints.
“After much prayer and talking it over with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the NFL,” Carr said. “Over the past 11 years, we’ve been tremendously blessed. We’re deeply thankful and honored by this journey. It’s hard to fully express our appreciation to all the teammates, coaches, staff, ownership, and especially the fans who made this ride unforgettable. Your constant support has meant everything to us.”
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