Derek Carr Said He Didn’t Want To ‘Just Take Saints’ Money,’ Decision To Retire Was ‘Right Thing’ For Him

Derek Carr announced his retirement on May 10, with the New Orleans Saints saying the quarterback had a labral tear and “significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.” His decision to retire ultimately came after he decided that he didn’t want to “just take” money from the organization.

Surgery was considered an option, but Carr told Front Office Sports that he ultimately didn’t feel right with either possibility.

“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,” Carr told Front Office Sports. “I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery and then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100%, and so that doesn’t help either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team.”

Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints in 2023. He forfeited his $30 million base salary for the 2025 season due to his retirement, although he did get to keep a $10 million roster bonus for 2025.

With Carr’s retirement, the Saints’ quarterback situation is uncertain. The Saints are currently holding a quarterback competition among second-round pick Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Even with Carr’s retirement, the Saints were prepared to be without him for some of the season, so they went through the draft process accordingly.

“He did everything he could,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said of Carr last month. “As he’s gone through this, he’s communicated extremely well. He’s worked really hard to put himself in position, and ultimately this was the outcome.”

Carr is enjoying life away from football as he gets to spend that time with his family.

“My agent literally texted me a few days ago and he said, ‘Hey, just checking in. How’s everything? You feel comfortable with the decision?’ 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,'” Carr told Front Office Sports. “So I’m doing great and have thoroughly enjoyed being home.”