The Derek Carr period in New Orleans has ended. The 34-year-old quarterback is retiring, citing a shoulder damage that can require surgical procedure and would have compelled him to overlook the 2025 season.
He went 14-13 in his two-year run with the Saints, restricted by accidents and taking part in by others, in the end unable to be the quarterback to get New Orleans again to the playoffs for the primary time since Drew Brees‘ retirement after the 2020 season.
Carr’s retirement ends an ungainly interval of uncertainty, with information of the shoulder damage popping out simply earlier than the draft. The Saints’ tough wage cap scenario had compelled them to transform his contract to create speedy cap area and, consequently, his contract will rely $50 million in “useless cash,” or cap area dedicated to a accomplished contract, over 2025 and 2026.
The Saints had anticipated Carr’s absence by utilizing their second-round choose within the draft on Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, and the 25-year-old is now the favourite to step in to Carr’s position at quarterback beneath first-year head coach Kellen Moore. New Orleans has drafted quarterbacks three years in a row, however Shough ought to have the ability to beat out second-year professional Spencer Rattler, who went 0-6 final season filling in for Carr, and third-year professional Jake Haener, 0-1 in his solely profession begin.
If the Saints need to signal a veteran QB, one of the best free brokers nonetheless obtainable embrace Aaron Rodgers, who seems headed for the Steelers, Carson Wentz and Desmond Ridder.
New Orleans is coming off a 5-12 season that was the franchise’s worst document since 2005, earlier than Brees joined the workforce. The Saints’ salary-cap inflexibility restricted their offseason additions, so the problem will probably be maintaining with the Panthers and Falcons, additionally with younger quarterbacks, all going after a Bucs workforce that has gained the division 4 years in a row and is favored to take action once more.
Carr’s NFL legacy is a blended bag. He handed for 41,245 yards and 257 landing passes in an 11-year profession, largely with the Raiders, but in addition is void of virtually any postseason résumé. His greatest season, in 2016, noticed him miss the playoffs as a consequence of damage, so he performed in a single playoff sport, dropping after the 2021 season. He made 4 Professional Bowls with the Raiders, however his Saints tenure will probably be famous primarily for the huge contract he signed — he’ll find yourself making $100 million for 3 years — and the dearth of constant success to match that deal.
His retirement makes it a clear break in New Orleans: new coach in Moore, new quarterback doubtless in Shough. The rookie, who performed three seasons at Oregon and three at Texas Tech earlier than discovering success at Louisville final season, will now have the burden of making an attempt to vary the franchise’s trajectory. He was the third quarterback drafted, forward of different prime quarterback prospects like Seattle’s Jalen Milroe and Cleveland’s Shedeur Sanders.
High receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed will assist Shough, in addition to an upgraded offensive line. New Orleans used its previous two first-round picks on tackles, with Taliese Fuaga final yr and Kelvin Banks Jr. this yr. Moore is an offensive coach with a future in Dallas earlier than time with the Chargers and Eagles, and he follows an unremarkable 18-25 document by Dennis Allen, who took over for Sean Payton in 2022.
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade masking the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Instances and The Athletic. You possibly can observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter each day!
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
