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via Imago

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via Imago

Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with [wife] Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League.Derek Carr officially put his papers down, quitting the league with a serious complaint. The New Orleans Saints quarterback was plagued by a shoulder injury that threatened to keep him out in 2025 and beyond. Hence, after playing 11 seasons in the NFL, Carr has now retired, drawing many eyebrows and best wishes for the injured athlete.

The four-time Pro Bowler shared in his farewell message, “It’s difficult to find the right words to express our thanks to all the teammates, coaches, management, ownership, team officials, and especially the fans who made this journey so special.” And honelstly, the feeling was mutual. Fans, teammates, and even the league struggled to say goodbye to the star QB. The latest to chime in? Six-time Pro Bowler, Devante Adams.

Right after Derek Carr announced his retirement on Saturday, Davante Adams shared a story on Instagram. The photo showed the two hugging during a game, an old shot from their Fresno State days, long before they reunited in the NFL with the Raiders. Now that Carr’s stepping away from the league, Adams had a quick, emotional message for his former teammate. Tagging Carr in the story, he wrote, “Happy retirement brudda! Rest that arm!!

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During his tenure with Carr, Adams recorded 100 catches for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns, making it to Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors. No doubt, their connection was great and different. It is also evident that when the Raiders decided to cut ties with the QB, Adams couldn’t digest it easily. He said, “If I was Scooby-Doo, I would’ve went, ‘Urrrrrrrrrrr?’ Like, you literally brought me here, you knew the reason why … me going there for Derek; everybody in the world knew that. And then to be in a situation where now you just pull him from me after we had a very productive year? That was the first kind of confused moment that I had.

Nevertheless, Derek Carr moved to the Saints in 2023, and after playing for 11 seasons, he has officially hung up his cleats due to his gruesome injury. With this, the QB has also left a good amount on the table for the franchise.

What’s your perspective on:

Did Derek Carr retire too soon, or was it the right call for his health?

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What’s next after Derek Carr’s retirement for the Saints?

Derek Carr’s time in the NFL has officially come to an end, and man, it’s a tough one. After pushing through pain and rehab, his right shoulder just couldn’t hang on. The Saints QB felt something off when he started throwing again this spring, and scans later showed a torn labrum and damage to his rotator cuff. So, surgery would’ve meant missing another season. But after already battling a concussion and hand injury last year, he chose to step away.

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Derek Carr didn’t leave quietly either. He stood up for himself and walked away with over 6,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in just two years in New Orleans. Now, after his retirement, via Ian Rapoport, “Both sides gain financially – By retiring, Carr forgoes the $30M guaranteed this season, while the Saints won’t seek reimbursement for the $10M roster bonus and signing bonus.” The Saints restructured his deal earlier in 2023, as Carr had two years remaining on the four-year, $150 million contract.

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And now, as Derek Carr is bidding goodbye to the league, the Saints have moved forward with fresh talent. At present, the team has Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener to step up and compete for the starting role. Initial reports suggest that Kellen Moore might go forward with Shough for 2025, given he performs well in camp.

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Did Derek Carr retire too soon, or was it the right call for his health?

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