New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has officially announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 34, citing a significant shoulder injury as the reason for stepping away from the game. The veteran quarterback made the announcement Saturday morning, concluding an 11-year career that included standout tenures with both the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders before joining the Saints.
Carr shared that the decision came after deep reflection and conversations with his wife, Heather. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience,” he said in a statement released by the team. “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.”
According to the Saints, Carr began experiencing pain in his throwing shoulder while preparing for the 2025 season—his first high-intensity work since suffering a concussion and hand injury on December 8. Medical scans revealed a labral tear and advanced degeneration in his rotator cuff. Though surgery was an option, it would have sidelined him for the entire season with no guarantee of full recovery.
Carr had previously spoken about the injury during a church service, emphasizing that his faith—not public opinion—guides his decisions. “The word of God is what matters,” he said.
Carr retires with over 41,200 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions. Widely respected as one of the NFL’s most consistent quarterbacks, he leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and perseverance. His older brother, David Carr, also played in the NFL, solidifying the Carrs as one of the league’s most recognized quarterback families.