When Derek Carr announced his retirement, the timing caught nearly everyone off guard. Not because his shoulder wasn’t a legitimate concern. Well, it was. But because walking away at 34, with $30 million still on the table, is the kind of move that usually comes with asterisks. Especially in today’s NFL, where retirements are often just extended offseasons in disguise.
Carr’s injury was no minor tweak. After his season-ending hit in week 14, the diagnosis revealed degenerative damage to his rotator cuff along with a labral tear. Something you don’t really bounce back from with a few ice baths and offseason rehab. “In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder,” the Saints’ official statement read. And it was the cue to hang up the cleats, as we have now witnessed.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr conveyed in his personal statement issued through the team. According to his brother David Carr, it wasn’t just the medical side that pushed Derek toward the exit. “His children are getting older… they want to be around,” David shared, emphasizing a shift in priorities for the longtime quarterback. You could see in the very first clip after calling time, where he looked happy when he answered his wife’s question of what he’s going to do on his first day post-retirement. He said, “We’re gonna go outside and run as a family.” He has put down his helmet and picked up the family man baton.
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after a touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
But even after that, if there was still any lingering doubt about Derek’s post-retirement state of mind, Heather Carr may have offered the most telling clue—intentionally or not. In a recent Instagram story, she posted a clip of Derek slinging a ball around the house. In the background? A candelabrum with one less candle, apparently collateral damage from Derek’s restless arm. Her caption: “Already 1 candle down.” So, maybe, there’s more damage on the way. Let’s hope not for Heather’s sake.
Now, while some, including analyst Ross Tucker, speculate that Carr’s retirement might not stick, there’s little in the way of smoke suggesting otherwise. The man isn’t spending his days texting agents or scouting QB-needy teams. He’s at home, likely fielding Nerf balls and broken candle complaints. And then there’s also Mike Florio’s report as he stated: “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, it’s ‘extremely unlikely’ that Carr will return. He’s already making other professional plans.”
The Saints, for their part, are already transitioning. They’ve drafted Louisville’s Tyler Shough, joining Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in the quarterback room. Financially, Carr walks away with over $205 million in career earnings. No playoff wins, true. But a career defined by leadership, durability, and the ability to show up—week after week, year after year.
And if this truly is the end (no comebacks from retirement)? It didn’t come with a farewell tour or a dramatic final drive. Just a quiet home video, a quarterback with time on his hands, and one less candle standing.
Life after Derek Carr in New Orleans
So Derek Carr’s out. Just like that. That left the Saints scrambling—and their answer came in the form of Tyler Shough. Now, we’ve seen some draft-day reaches before. But this one? It turned heads. Shough in the second round didn’t sell most of the fans.
Some didn’t even pretend. And they’re not alone—NFL Spinzone isn’t exactly lighting a candle for him either. In fact, they’re already floating the idea that he could be “one and done” in New Orleans. That’s not exactly a warm welcome to the Big Easy.
Here’s the thing: Shough turns 26 before the season even starts. But it’s not your typical rookie arc because he’s not walking in with years to sit and learn. He’s expected to play. Right now. And in a Kellen Moore offense, no less. NFL writer Sayre Bedinger didn’t mince words either: “He’s going to get a chance to play.” Translation? He’s on the clock. Immediately.
And yeah, let’s be real—if the Saints are flatlining by December, staring down a 3-14 kind of disaster, do you really think they pass on a top quarterback next April? This isn’t about patience. It’s about results. Shough needs to flash something—anything—this season. Because the leash isn’t long, and New Orleans is a tough place to fake it.
But maybe this is the perfect storm. Maybe Shough finds his groove. After all, the scouts inside NFL buildings saw something the Twitter crowd didn’t. Maybe he’s just late to the party. Or maybe… this is a one-season rental before the Saints go shopping again.
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