Derek Carr retires: what’s next for the Saints’ quarterback room after Star QB’s sudden exit?

Derek Carr retires after shoulder injury ends 11-year NFL career
In a major shake-up to the New Orleans Saints' quarterback depth chart, veteran quarterback Derek Carr has officially announced his retirement from the National Football League. The team confirmed Carr’s decision on Saturday, citing significant injuries to his throwing shoulder, including a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage. These injuries were discovered in March when Carr resumed throwing in preparation for the 2025 NFL season.

Carr had not thrown extensively since fracturing his non-throwing hand in a December game against the New York Giants. With the potential of surgery sidelining him for the upcoming season, Carr made the decision to retire rather than jeopardize the team’s stability.


“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with [his wife,] Heather, I've decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said in a statement. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience.”

Saints quarterback depth: Shough, Rattler, and Haener take center stage
With Carr’s sudden retirement, the New Orleans Saints quarterback room now enters uncharted territory. The team will look to 2025 second-round draft pick Tyler Shough, 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler, and 2023 fourth-rounder Jake Haener to step up and compete for the starting role. These young quarterbacks will now be tasked with leading a franchise that had hoped Carr would bring playoff consistency.

The franchise initially held off making any decisions until Carr’s situation became clearer. After news of the injury surfaced in April, fans and analysts speculated on his future. In his first and only public appearance addressing the injury, Carr dismissed rumors and reassured the community that he and the team were working together on a resolution.

“We’re figuring it out and we’re going to go forward with that,” Carr said during an April 28 sermon at Church LV in Las Vegas.

Carr’s career in review: from Raiders star to Saints leader
A 2014 second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders, Derek Carr quickly became the face of the franchise, spending nine seasons with the Raiders before joining New Orleans in 2023. His four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints marked a new chapter in his career, one that many hoped would end in playoff success.

Carr started 169 games across 11 seasons, posting a career record of 77-92-0. He completed 61.5% of his passes for 41,245 yards, throwing 257 touchdowns against 112 interceptions. Though postseason victories eluded him, Carr's leadership and toughness earned him widespread respect across the league.

“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,” Carr added.

End of an era, start of a new quarterback competition
The Saints now find themselves at a crossroads. With a trio of untested quarterbacks, the New Orleans Saints must pivot quickly as they prepare for training camp. Whether Shough, Rattler, or Haener emerges as the next franchise quarterback will determine the course of the team’s future.

As Carr exits the NFL, his legacy leaves big shoes to fill—not just in terms of stats, but in leadership and locker room presence.