Respect to Derek Carr — But His Body Said ‘That’s Enough’

So Derek Carr is calling it a career after 11 seasons. And while I wish the brother well in retirement, I’m not about to sit up here and make this some story of tragedy or heartbreak.

The man got his shot. He made his money. He fulfilled his dream.

Let’s run the facts: Carr was drafted in the second round back in 2014 by the then–Oakland Raiders. He spent nine seasons there before signing a $150 million deal with the Saints in 2023.

Now at 34, Derek Carr is hanging it up.

169 starts. A 77-92 career record.

Over 41,000 passing yards — top 25 all-time, by the way.

257 touchdowns, 112 interceptions, and a 61.5% completion rate.

Oh, and don’t forget — he finished 3rd in MVP voting back in 2016.

Solid. Durable. Respectable.

But was it ever enough?

Carr is stepping away due to a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff damage in his right throwing shoulder — an injury the team discovered in March when he tried ramping up for the upcoming season.

Add to that the fractured non-throwing hand he suffered in December, and it became clear the body wasn’t cooperating anymore.

Carr's numbers may not be Hall of Fame-worthy numbers — and he never pretended they were.

But what they do show is a man who showed up, did the work, and carried himself with dignity for over a decade in the NFL.

Let’s be real: Carr wasn’t elite. He had flashes — a near-MVP season in 2016, some heroic 4th-quarter comebacks — but he didn’t consistently reach that top-tier level.

The playoffs?

Only made them twice.

Didn’t win a game.

That’s the reality.

But here’s what I’ll say — and I mean this: not everyone needs a gold jacket to leave a legacy.

Carr was respected in every locker room he walked into. He was tough, professional, and dependable. And there’s value in that — especially in a league where chaos is always one injury away.

So no, this isn’t a sob story. This is just the end of the line for a guy who gave the NFL everything he had — and knew when to bow out.

Salute to Derek Carr.

He had a good run.