Derek Kerr was set to receive a guaranteed $30 million salary in 2025. However, he chose to retire instead of continuing, even though most people would be reluctant to give up such a substantial amount of money. In an interview with Front Office Sports on Wednesday, Kerr shared his reasons. He was uncomfortable with the idea of playing through the season while sidelined due to shoulder surgery.
Kerr admitted, “I didn’t want to have surgery, so I just decided to take the Saints’ money,” he told FOS. His 2025 season and career were in jeopardy because of shoulder injuries caused by football. If he had stayed on the roster, he would have undergone surgery, missed the season, and earned the $30 million salary.
Instead, Kerr chose to retire. Though football injuries made money a factor, he felt retiring was the right decision for himself and his team. “If I had the surgery, I wouldn’t have been able to play, and trying to play at less than 100 percent wouldn’t have helped the team either,” Kerr explained.
This concluded Kerr’s NFL career. Over 11 years playing quarterback for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and the Saints, he earned $195.7 million. As part of his retirement deal, the Saints granted him a $10 million roster bonus in 2025, which was originally part of his salary package. Despite this, the money he left behind was substantial and entirely his choice.
“I’ve never played just for money,” Kerr added. “I’ve told many people how crazy that sounds. Money is cool, but it doesn’t touch your heart. I knew my heart was at peace, and that’s what truly matters.”
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Fan Take: Derek Kerr’s decision to prioritize his health and team over a massive paycheck sends a powerful message about the importance of wellbeing in the NFL. For fans, it highlights a shift toward valuing longevity and integrity over pure financial gain, which could influence how players approach their careers and the sport’s culture moving forward.
