Derek Carr’s reason for retiring from the Saints is unlike anything in sports

New Orleans Saints’ QB Derek Carr retired in the offseason after what was a weird process overall for the signal caller and the New Orleans Saints. Carr’s shoulder never fully healed from the injury he suffered in 2024, and he was likely looking at offseason surgery and a long recovery window while still cashing a huge $30 million check. Instead, Carr chose to retire.

Carr explained his decision to walk away from the money in an interview with Front Office Sports. He offered a shocking explanation for why he decided to hang up his cleats.

“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 has made close to $200 million in his career, so it softens the blow of losing out on $30 million for the year. But it’s admirable that Carr’s decision to retire saves the Saints that money against the cap, some relief for a team that’s spent more time in the red than a troubling gambler.

Carr also explained to FOS his reasoning behind retiring over trying to have surgery or playing through the injury. “I wouldn’t have been able to play if I had the surgery,” Carr said. “And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn’t near 100%, 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.”

Carr’s retirement helped do two things for the Saints: it first allowed them to save money, which they can use throughout the season, but it also gave New Orleans the chance to start their new era at the position. New Orleans selected Louisville QB Tyler Shough with the 40th pick in the draft, and he could see serious playing time as the Saints’ QB competition continues to unfold. With Carr retired, the Saints can truly begin a new era under a new head coach with someone different under center, and Carr doesn’t have to worry about rushing back from a serious injury.

Carr’s decision to retire came as sort of a shock to the NFL world. But with him choosing to help the Saints out in his retirement, he gains back a little favor with the team.