The New Orleans Saints have taken the final steps towards ending the Derek Carr era in New Orleans.
On Tuesday afternoon the franchise officially placed the veteran quarterback on the league’s reserve/retired list.
The NFL reserve/retired list is used for players who have officially retired from the league but still have a contract with a team. When a player retires and is placed on this list, the team’s contract with them is tolled, meaning the contract remains in place, and the team retains the player’s rights if they choose to unretire.
Last month the Saints announced that Derek Carr will retire following a shoulder injury that requires surgery and put him out for the season.
The Saints issued the following statement regarding Carr’s decision:
“Derek Carr has announced his retirement. In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. Derek immediately contacted the Saints Medical Team.
“Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.
“Since that time, Derek, his representation, the Saints Medical Team and outside medical experts have worked together to determine the best path forward. Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed.
“Upon consultation with his wife, Heather, Derek has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the National Football League.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” said Carr. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. 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. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
Carr issued the following statement regarding his decision to retire:
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League.
“For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience.
“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.
“Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
At a press conference Saturday, New Orleans Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore spoke on Carr’s decision to retire.
“Obviously, we were’ more aware of the the injury and as you go through that process again there’s a personal component to this, you want to respect people’s process as they go through this. These are challenging circumstances for families,” said Moore.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the retirement will financially benefit the Saints. Carr will forgo the $30 million guaranteed money this season, while the Saints won’t seek reimbursement for the $10 million roster bonus and signing bonus.
READ MORE:Saints take final steps to end Derek Carr era in New Orleans
