The Derek Carr era in New Orleans is over. The veteran quarterback announced his retirement Saturday morning, meaning the Saints will have a new quarterback under center as they try to unseat the Bucs, the four-time defending NFC South champions.
Derek Carr has announced his retirement.
In late March, while ramping up his preparation for the 2025 season, Derek experienced pain in his right shoulder. It was his first time throwing a football at significant volume since recovering from both a concussion and left hand… pic.twitter.com/SrcJEzDDnU
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 10, 2025
It was previously reported that Carr had suffered a shoulder injury that suddenly put his 2025 status in doubt. But Saturday brought more details about the injury, and it was made in the quarterback’s best interest, as well as the Saints’, for him to retire. Here is an excerpt from the statement out of New Orleans:
“Eventually, medical scans determined objectively that Derek sustained a labral tear and also had significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.”
“Since that time, Derek, his representation, the Saints Medical Team and outside medical experts have worked together to determine the best path forward. Surgery was an option, jeopardizing the entire 2025 season, yet there was no guarantee Derek would return to the level of strength, function and performance of play to which he was accustomed.
“Upon consultation with his wife, Heather, Derek has decided it is in the best interests of both his family and the Saints organization to retire from the National Football League.”
Saints QB Derek Carr – Photo by: USA Today
Carr signed a four-year, $150 million deal with the Saints in 2023 after nine seasons with the Raiders. Over his two seasons in New Orleans, he played in 27 games, throwing for 6,023 yards and 40 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. The Saints were 14-13 in those 27 games.
Over his 11-year NFL career, Carr threw for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns to 112 interceptions while completing 65.1% of his passes. He finished with a 77-92 record as a starter, with a 2-2 mark against the Bucs. Oddly enough, he was 2-0 against the Bucs in Tampa, while his two losses against them came in Las Vegas and New Orleans.
With Derek Carr Out, Bucs Will Face Another New Saints QB In 2025
New Saints QB Tyler Shough Photo by: USA Today
Oddly enough, the Bucs didn’t see Derek Carr in either of their meetings with the Saints last season. Rookie Spencer Rattler stepped in and started both games for New Orleans. In the first, a 51-27 Bucs win at the Superdome, Rattler finished 22-of-40 for 243 yards and a touchdown to two interceptions. In the Week 18 rematch in Tampa, the Bucs won again, 27-19, as Rattler finished 26-of-42 for 240 yards and a touchdown.
Tampa Bay may be facing a new quarterback when it meets New Orleans again in 2025, though. While Rattler and Jake Haener are still on the roster and will battle for the open job, the Saints spent a second-round pick — the 40th overall selection — on Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough. While there will certainly be a competition, Shough may be the favorite to win the job out of the gate or at least assume the position eventually.
Shough, who turns 26 years old in September, began his college career in 2018 at Oregon. He didn’t see any action that year and played sparingly in 2019 before throwing for 1,559 yards and 13 touchdowns to six interceptions in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. From there, he saw limited action over three seasons at Texas Tech before transferring again and playing his final year at Louisville.
With the Cardinals in 2024, Shough threw for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns to six interceptions while completing 62.7% of his passes.
So, whenever the Bucs match up with the Saints for their two meetings in 2025, they may be seeing yet another New Orleans rookie quarterback.