Last month, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the NFL, and he stands firm in his choice. At 34, Carr is dealing with shoulder injuries that require surgery, which will keep him sidelined for the 2025 season.

Despite the option to stay in the league, he doesn’t want to continue in a limited role. While many players stay for financial reasons, Carr’s decision is quite the opposite. “I don’t want surgery; I’m just sitting on the Saints’ money,” Carr told Front Office Sports.

Carr is set to earn $30 million in 2025 as part of his four-year, $150 million contract signed in 2023, including a $10 million roster bonus. Since being the second overall pick in 2014, he has earned $199 million in career revenue.

Although the salary is impressive, Carr values the reason behind his retirement above any monetary gain. He shared with Front Office Sports, “I’ve never played just for money. I have all these things the world offers, but they didn’t fulfill my heart, which is what truly matters.”

Carr aimed to make a decision beneficial for both himself and the team. He acknowledged that if he avoided surgery, he wouldn’t perform at the required level. He felt stepping away was the right move since he wasn’t close to 100% health. Carr has no regrets and knows his new path is better than the alternative.

“My agent texted me recently asking if I still felt good about my choice. I sent him a picture of me on the beach with my two kids, saying, ‘This is my new OTAs (offseason training activities).’ He replied, ‘Yeah, I thought so,’” Carr explained. “I’m fine and really enjoying being home.”

Carr is exploring a potential career in sports media. Meanwhile, the Saints face a quarterback room full of unproven players, including Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie Tyler Shough. Last season, Rattler started 0-6, and Haener went 0-1. The team’s track record without Carr isn’t promising, but new coach Kellen Moore is optimistic about the group.

—

Fan Take: Derek Carr’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Saints and presents a critical turning point for their quarterback situation. For NFL fans, it highlights how vital health and heart are beyond money, and it underscores the challenges teams face when replacing established stars.