“Happy Retirement, my love! I’m so proud of you!… All your records, pro bowls, and accomplishments on the field don’t even compare to the husband, dad, and man you are off the field…” Derek Carr’s wife, Heather, wrote a heartfelt note to the former NFL QB. Carr, 34, who announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday after a career spanning 11 seasons in the league, left many shocked with his sudden move.

Clearly, he decided not to play football anymore on the gridiron because of an injury, as he has to undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder. And, now, he is poised to spend quality time with his wife and 4 kids. His wife, Heather Carr, seems excited to enjoy some post-retirement dates with her NFL hubby. Amidst celebrating their new life, she took a financial ‘decision’ that brought a cheeky smile to Derek’s face. But what did she do? Well, it is quite humorous.

Taking to her official IG handle, ex-Saints QB’s wife shared glimpses of his retired life. “First day of retirement,” she mentioned in her post caption. Wasting no time, Heather dropped a captivating video featuring his new routine post-retirement. Hours after veteran QB Carr announced his retirement, his special moments with family made rounds on the internet. And, his dinner date with his wife and 4 kids really became the main highlight, as his wife took responsibility for the expenses of their dinner date. Yes, Heather paid the bill. But, humorously, she reimbursed payments using her partner’s card.

The latest video featured Carr’s first day as a non-pro-footballer. Interestingly, at this moment, the Pro Bowler was just as busy now as he was all through his NFL career. Heather was seen asking him, “What are you going to do?” as Carr walked out of his room on his first day retired. Before going for the family dinner date, Carr revealed the first thing he wanted to do on the first day of his retirement.

“Go outside and run as a family,” he iterated. And, then, the former NFL player, who missed 7 games due to the multiple injuries in the 2024 season, was spotted running bare chested in his house backyard with his 4 kids, Brooklyn, Deakon, Deker Luke, and Dallas Mason. And, a few moments later, he was also seen attending the gym with his children. Then, he went outside to play golf after they had a nice family meal.

When he returned, Carr was in his backyard throwing balls. The baseball variety, not football, for his children. Ultimately, watering the plants marked the final act of Carr’s first day of retirement. However, his retirement decision was not easy for him, as he lost out on around $30 million with that forced choice.

Carr chooses to retire as he gives up $30 million

Back in 2023, the Saints offered a 4-year, $150 million contract deal with $100 million guaranteed and a $28.5 million signing bonus. Under this deal, he was supposed to have his base salary of $30 million for 2025 fully guaranteed. According to a report, a component of Carr’s contract has been negated due to his retirement.

So, after months of uncomfortable slashes, former NFL QB and the Saints figured out a smooth landing. After coming to an agreement that will help both parties, he will lose $30 million in completely guaranteed compensation. The Saints decided to convert his 2025 base salary to a mostly adjusted payout in March. Carr will retain his $10 million roster bonus from March. And, the Saints are not going to seek recovery of his remaining $28.5 million signing bonus. While Carr could have opted for shoulder surgery, choosing to skip this season, while keeping the $30 million. And, it would have left his future decision open. But he decided to opt out. This path allows him to avoid surgery, recovery, and rehab under pressure.

With the $10 million bonus, Carr’s career earnings surpass $200 million. So, either way, prioritising his long-term health is undoubtedly the right decision for him.