Derek Carr Retired Because He Didn't Want to Have Surgery, 'Take' $30M From Saints

When Derek Carr surprisingly retired this offseason, he essentially forfeited his $30 million salary for the 2025 season, a significant chunk of money.

But Carr would have needed shoulder surgery to continue playing, and he told David Rumsey of Front Office Sports that the time he would have spent sidelined from that operation played a part in the timing of his retirement.

"That part was tough because I didn't want to have surgery and just sit there and—it sounds crazy but—just take the Saints money," he said.

"I wouldn't have been able to play if I had the surgery," Carr added. "And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn't near 100 percent, and so that doesn't help them, either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team."

Granted, Carr's retirement did create a quarterback-sized hole in the Saints' roster. The Saints drafted 26-year-old Tyler Shough in the second round, though he's obviously unproven.

They also have Spencer Rattler on the roster, though he didn't exactly impress in limited action during his rookie season (0-6 record as the starter, seven total appearances, 1,317 passing yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions, 57.0 completion percentage, 22 sacks taken, 146 rushing yards).

Granted, the Saints weren't expected to be contenders even with Carr on the roster. With a bloated salary cap and teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons boasting more talent in the NFC South, a rebuild—or at the very least, a retooling—always appeared to be on the horizon. Carr's retirement just hastened that reality.

As for Carr's future, don't expect him to change his mind and return to the NFL in the future.

"My agent literally texted me a few days ago and he said, 'Hey, just checking it in. How's everything? You still feel comfortable with the decision?' Carr told Rumsey. "And I sent him a picture of me on the beach with my two kids playing. And I said, 'This beats an OTA any day.' And he said, 'Yeah, I thought so.' So, I'm doing great and have thoroughly enjoyed being home."