Derek Carr retires: What’s subsequent for the Saints?

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Katherine Terrell
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Katherine Terrell

ESPN Employees Author
Jeremy Fowler
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Jeremy Fowler

senior NFL nationwide reporter

Might 10, 2025, 01:09 PM ET

With Derek Carr saying his retirement Saturday, the New Orleans Saints obtained the readability that they had been ready for. However it’s a consequence that leaves an on the spot void at quarterback.

Medical scans decided that Carr, 34, had sustained a labral tear and likewise had vital degenerative adjustments to his rotator cuff, so enjoying in 2025 was in jeopardy. It is the closure New Orleans has been in search of since April 11, when the information of Carr’s damage broke. Now that Carr has made his standing official, what’s left for the Saints?

They drafted Tyler Shough final month within the second spherical and have second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler and third-year quarterback Jake Haener on the roster, however New Orleans went 0-7 final season in video games Carr did not begin. Do the Saints carry in additional assist? Do they roll with the gamers they’ve?

NFL Nation reporter Katherine Terrell and nationwide NFL author Jeremy Fowler sort out the most important questions surrounding the domino impact of Carr’s retirement.

What does this timing imply for the Saints?

The Saints had been already bracing for the opportunity of enjoying with out Carr — now it is a certainty. Carr’s retirement was made official through the workforce’s rookie minicamp, which is the workforce’s first prolonged have a look at Shough. Now New Orleans will be capable of set up its offense with one among its younger quarterbacks in thoughts and take away any controversy about Carr’s determination early within the offseason.

This might have been a distraction if issues had dragged on into coaching camp, however now it is basically a clear slate for the teaching employees and the younger quarterbacks. Shough, Rattler and Haener will break up the quarterback reps when OTAs start later within the month. If the Saints elect to make Shough the starter this season, they may decide early and with out Carr’s potential shadow looming over him.

This additionally makes their 2026 plans simpler. Since Carr selected to retire as an alternative of occurring injured reserve, they will not should resolve his future when the 2026 offseason begins. That clears one job off the 2026 guidelines, which could possibly be prolonged with a lot of growing old gamers on the roster. — Terrell

How will the Saints proceed at quarterback? Might they carry in one other QB?

Coach Kellen Moore appeared noncommittal about Carr as a starter when he had his first information convention as New Orleans head coach in February. Though Moore backed Carr publicly over the following few months, it at all times appeared probably that he would wish to herald his personal man, and that call was sealed when the Saints took Shough within the second spherical.

This employees can now mould the room any method it desires. Proper now, it is a room that has three younger quarterbacks — New Orleans might select to herald a veteran (it just lately launched Ben DiNucci) to assist mentor, or it might roll with youth on the place and hold issues establishment. The Saints additionally introduced Hunter Dekkers in as a tryout participant for rookie minicamp — one other younger quarterback who might attempt to contend for a observe squad spot if the Saints like what they see. — Terrell

What are the contract/wage cap implications of the transfer?

Carr was as a result of make $40 million this season — $30 million in base wage and a $10 million roster bonus. The Saints restructured his contract for wage cap functions, which introduced his base wage all the way down to the league minimal and turned the remaining right into a signing bonus of $28.75 million, to be paid out weekly through the season. In accordance with his contract, that signing bonus was contingent on “receiving medical clearance to observe and play.” The contract additionally had contingencies to void the cash if he retired from the NFL. In accordance with the retirement settlement, Carr will forfeit the $30 million base wage however retain the $10 million signing bonus. If he doesn’t file retirement papers till June 1, the Saints can be going through a lot of the cap implications in 2026. — Terrell

What’s the probability Carr’s retirement is everlasting?

The individuals I’ve talked to Saturday can be fairly stunned if he tried to return. What turned clear over the previous couple of months is that Carr’s standing as a bona fide QB1 was in query. Is he, as of proper now, nonetheless one of many 32 finest quarterbacks within the league? Most definitely. However there wasn’t a clear-cut residence for him this season, exterior of the Saints, and recovering from a severe shoulder damage is an arduous job for a quarterback who turned 34 in March. He may have made greater than $200 million for his profession when accounting for his 2025 pay on his method out of New Orleans. It simply appears like a return can be an uphill battle — although you may’t low cost a participant’s potential eagerness to try a comeback if totally healed. — Fowler

If he would not return to the NFL, what’s Carr’s legacy?

Carr’s profession was underrated in some methods. He performed for six head coaches (two interim) and 5 playcallers throughout his 9 years with the Raiders, plus a brand new coordinator in every of his seasons with the Saints. Thriving regardless of that turnover — occurring to make 4 Professional Bowls — was a formidable feat. He was additionally sturdy earlier than his final yr in New Orleans, enjoying 15 or extra video games in every of his first 10 NFL seasons. In his prime, he was knocking on the door of the highest 10 at his place. However he was largely thought-about a superb participant who could not get a workforce over the hump and carry it to glory. Carr misplaced his solely playoff look, an AFC wild-card sport with the Raiders in 2022. — Fowler