New Orleans - New Orleans Saints starting quarterback Derek Carr decided to retire because his right shoulder teared his lip and his shoulder cuff was “significantly degenerate”.

Carr, 34, was selected from Fresno State by the then-Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft for 11 professional seasons.

He was acquired by the Saints as a free agent in 2023, but New Orleans also had a different result, with him 14-13 as the starter while his obliques, hands and head injuries, which led him to miss seven games last season.

Carr entered the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract, and his shoulder throwing was unexpectedly painful as he began to step up training in the offseason, which led to his diagnosis having shortened his career.

"Surgery is an option that endangers the entire 2025 season, but there is no guarantee that Derek will return to the strength, function and performance level of habit," the Saints said in a written announcement.

It was not until the day before the draft that the Saints admitted Carl's injury. It was not until a few days later that Carl spoke publicly about the injury, when he held a guest sermon at the Las Vegas Church. Carl said in that sermon that his critics were “lying” when they questioned the abnormal timing of the injury, and the initial implicitness of the team and Carl to openly resolve or answer questions about it.

Carl's total professional passes were 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions. He retired with a regular season record of 77-92 and did not win the playoffs.

Carl said he made a decision in consultation with his wife Heather and “reflected on prayer.”

“We have been lucky for over a decade and we are so grateful and humbled by this experience,” Carl said. “It’s hard to find the right words to thank all our teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials, and especially the fans who have made this journey so special.”

The decision also proposes a second-round draft pick in New Orleans to pick Louisville's Tyler Shoough as a potential future starting quarterback - although it remains to be seen that he can prepare for the role.

Other QBs on the Saints’ roster include sophomore Pro Spencer Rattler and third-year player Jake Haener, who won between them in seven games last season, with six of them starting.