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Derek Carr is calling it a career.
In a surprise announcement Saturday, the Saints quarterback announced he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons—two with New Orleans and nine before that with the Raiders.
“For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience,” Carr said in a statement released by the Saints. “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. Your unwavering support has meant the world to us.”
Carr retires with about $195.7 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac. Over the Cap has him as the 17th-highest earner (not adjusted for inflation) in NFL history.
Carr was set to miss the entire upcoming season to undergo shoulder surgery.
According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Carr was slated to earn $30 million this season, which he will forgo, but the quarterback and the Saints reached an agreement that the team will not seek to claw back $10 million in roster bonus and signing bonus money.
The surprise exit left social media buzzing about who will start for the Saints. The Saints have Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler listed as the second and third options on their depth chart, and drafted Louisville QB Tyler Shough in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.
But Robert Griffin III was quick to give his own take: The Saints, he said, “need to call Aaron Rodgers.”
