How Derek Carr Retiring Impacts Saints' Salary Cap, Depth Chart for 2025 NFL Season

In a surprise decision announced on Saturday, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Saints won't have to pay Carr's $30 million guaranteed salary for the upcoming season and the club won't seek reimbursement for his $10 million roster and signing bonus that was paid in March.

The Saints entered the day with $23.1 million in cap space, but that figure will increase to around $53 million with Carr's retirement.

New Orleans' quarterback depth chart now features three players drafted since 2023, including Tyler Shough (2025), Spencer Rattler (2024) and Jake Haener (2023).

Carr's retirement comes as he was facing the possibility of undergoing surgery to repair a shoulder injury that didn't come with any assurances he would return to the level of strength and function as before, per a statement from the Saints.

By taking Carr's contract off the books, the Saints' multi-year salary cap outlook gives them a level of flexibility they haven't had in a long time. They were projected to be $46.3 million over the estimated 2026 cap with his $69.2 million cap figure on the books.

While the Saints don't get to take all of that money off their cap, they do have to factor in any prorated bonus money that's already been paid to Carr.

Per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, the total remaining cash payouts and cap charges the Saints will take on amounts to $70 million over two years.

As for what the Saints will do at quarterback in 2025 without Carr, Shough would seem like the favorite to be the Week 1 starter. The Louisville alum was selected with the No. 40 overall pick in this year's draft.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter in the aftermath of Carr's retirement that Saints officials are "really high" on Shough and "hope" he can take control of the starting job during OTAs, training camp and preseason.

Rattler and Haener both started games for the Saints last season, going a combined 0-7. Rattler was responsible for six of those starts. He threw for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions in seven total appearances.

Haener's lone start was in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders. He was benched for Rattler at halftime after going 4-of-10 for 49 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.