New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has stunned NFL fans by opting for retirement rather than an arduous return from shoulder injury.

Carr released a statement on his decision after discussing with his wife, Heather.

‘After thoughtful prayer and conversations with Heather, I’ve chosen to retire from the National Football League,’ Carr announced. ‘For over 11 years, we’ve been tremendously blessed, and we remain deeply thankful and humbled by this journey.’

‘It’s challenging to find the appropriate words to convey our gratitude to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials, and especially the fans who made this journey so remarkable. Your steadfast support has meant everything to us.’

According to the Saints’ statement, Carr resumed throwing in March following the conclusion of his 2024 season on December 8, which was cut short due to a concussion and a left-hand injury.

The 34-year-old soon began experiencing discomfort in his throwing shoulder and subsequent medical scans revealed ‘significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff,’ according to the team.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has stunned NFL fans by opting for retirement rather than an arduous return from shoulder injury

The couple already share Deakon Derek, Deker Luke, Dallas Mason and Brooklyn Mae

Although surgery was an option, it would put his entire 2025 season in jeopardy and still couldn’t ensure a return to full strength.

So, after discussing with his wife, Heather, as well as team and outside medical personnel, Carr has decided to end his NFL career after 11 seasons.

Carr’s sudden retirement comes after his recent revelation that Heather recently suffered a miscarriage.

The former Fresno State star said they had been scheduled to travel to New Orleans to get a diagnosis on his shoulder injury when he had to rush his wife to the hospital.

Carr, who has been married to Heather since 2012, revealed that neither he nor his wife were aware they were expecting until the medics informed them that the miscarriage was behind her illness.

‘So now we’re hit with this emotional toll of “wait, we had a child?” So we don’t just have four babies, we have five. One is in heaven. We have three boys and a little girl, and we’re going to get to meet the other one when we get to heaven someday.

‘I say all that to say let’s be a people that doesn’t judge and point out and think the worst when you don’t really know what people are going through.’

The confession came amid the quarterback’s attack on the media after reports surfaced questioning the legitimacy of his shoulder issue. 

The Saints had been tight-lipped on the issue, refusing to answer questions on Carr’s health in the buildup to the 2025 NFL Draft, where they selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round. 

Amid the mystery shrouding the injury, reports began to break suggesting it had been fabricated, prompting the quarterback to fire back at the ‘people lying about me.’

‘I hate that I have to say this, but I have to say this,’ he said. ‘Yes, I have a shoulder injury, despite what ESPN says. And what some lady on a podcast might think, OK? 

‘I have an MRI report to prove it. The team knows about it. We’ve been in constant communication. There’s nothing wrong. We’re figuring it out, and we’re gonna go forward with that. Is that OK?’

Derek Carr released a statement on his decision after discussing with his wife, Heather

The mystery ‘lady on a podcast’ Carr referred to could have been The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who said back April 14 on her Scoop City podcast that people around the league believe there’s something ‘fishy’ about the injury.

Carr’s 2024 season – his second with the Saints – encountered a few bumps as he missed seven games due to hand and oblique injuries.

In the 10 games he did play, Carr ultimately finished 5-5 as a starter as New Orleans missed out on the playoffs. 

The younger brother of David Carr, the first-overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft and another former Fresno State star, Derek has enjoyed considerable success in the NFL. After being taken by the Oakland Raiders with the 36th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, he went on to be named to four Pro Bowls, the last of which came in 2022 in Las Vegas.

In 2023 he signed with the Saint but has since battled injuries and roster upheaval in New Orleans.