New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, 34, has announced his retirement due to a labral tear in his right shoulder and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. The team made this announcement on Saturday. Carr, drafted in 2014 by the Oakland Raiders, had a mixed tenure with the Saints after joining as a free agent in 2023, finishing with a 14-13 record as a starter while battling injuries that sidelined him for seven games last season.
After experiencing pain in his shoulder during offseason training, Carr sought medical evaluation, which revealed the severity of his injuries. The Saints mentioned that while surgery could have been an option, it posed risks of jeopardizing Carr’s potential return for the 2025 season and did not guarantee that he would regain his previous performance level. The team initially remained tight-lipped about Carr’s condition until just before the draft, sparking discussions about the timing of the announcement.
In a sermon at a Las Vegas church, Carr addressed rumors about his injury, stating that critics were “lying” regarding the circumstances surrounding its disclosure. Throughout his 11-season career, Carr accumulated 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, and 112 interceptions, but he retires without a playoff win and a regular-season record of 77-92.
Expressing gratitude for his journey, Carr mentioned making this decision after discussions with his wife and reflection. His retirement comes as the Saints selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the draft, along with other quarterbacks on the roster like Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, as potential future starters.
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