Former Saints Quarterback Derek Carr Announces Surprise Retirement
In a stunning turn of events, Derek Carr, the former quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, announced his retirement from the NFL on May 10. At 34 years old and having recently signed a lucrative contract with the Saints, this decision sent shockwaves throughout the league. Facing an impending shoulder surgery that would sideline him for the upcoming season, Carr chose to step away from football altogether.
Carr’s Financial Decisions Amid Retirement
By retiring, Carr is forgoing a guaranteed $30 million from the Saints. However, he will still collect a $10 million roster bonus, bringing his total career earnings to a staggering $205,666,395—a noteworthy accomplishment for an 11-year career.
Career Highlights and Challenges
Drafted by the Las Vegas (formerly Oakland) Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Carr quickly became the starting quarterback in his rookie year and held that position for most of his tenure with the franchise. Throughout his career, he consistently displayed durability, never playing in fewer than 15 games during a season. In 2022, however, Carr parted ways with the Raiders and signed with the Saints for the 2023 season.
Carr managed to participate in ten games in 2024 before suffering a significant injury during a scramble. Medical evaluations revealed a labral tear in his right shoulder, leading doctors to suggest he may never recover fully.
Ultimately, Carr retires with over $205 million in earnings, concluding his career with impressive statistics: 41,245 passing yards, 257 touchdowns, 112 interceptions, and a passer rating of 92.8—ranking him 15th all-time among NFL quarterbacks.
Despite these commendable numbers, Carr’s teams struggled to find sustained success. He finished his career with a 77-92 record and made only one playoff appearance, which culminated in a Wild Card defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. Additionally, though Carr’s Raiders qualified for the playoffs in 2016, he suffered a fractural injury that hampered their postseason performance.
A Quarterback’s Legacy and Financial Outcomes
As one of the most crucial positions in football, the quarterback often commands the highest salaries in the league, and Carr amassed nearly a quarter of a billion dollars without any playoff victories. His career earnings rank 16th all-time among NFL players. For context, other notable quarterbacks have had differing playoff experiences and earnings:
- Tom Brady accumulated about $333 million during his career while winning 7 Super Bowls.
- Joe Flacco earned $175 million and claimed a Super Bowl title (along with MVP honors).
- Russell Wilson, with two Super Bowl appearances and one championship, has made $266 million.
- Trent Dilfer, a Super Bowl champion with the Ravens in 2001, earned a modest $20 million throughout his career.
- Sam Bradford, despite never making the playoffs, earned $130 million over nine seasons without playing a full 16-game season.
Looking back, Carr’s career may serve as a case study on the NFL’s investment in potential as well as the narrow margins of success for quarterbacks. While respected for his consistency and availability, he ultimately fell short of elite status. Despite earning more than legends like Joe Montana and Brett Favre, Carr concluded his journey without a single playoff win to his name.
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