Derek Carr Admits He Wanted to Retire — and Thinks the Saints Should Have Let Him
NFL quarterback Derek Carr has never been one to shy away from brutal honesty, but his latest revelation has taken even diehard football fans by surprise. In a rare moment of public vulnerability, the New Orleans Saints QB confessed that he felt the team made a mistake by convincing him not to retire — a comment that now has ripple effects across the league and inside the Saints’ locker room.
Carr, who signed a four-year, $150 million deal with the Saints in 2023, opened up during a recent media session about his mental and emotional struggles following a tumultuous 2024 season. “There was a part of me that really thought about walking away,” Carr said. “Honestly, they probably should’ve let me retire.”
This isn’t just a passing comment — it’s a headline-making, franchise-shaking quote that could alter how fans, teammates, and front office executives view Carr’s future in the NFL.
A Season That Changed Everything
The 2024 NFL season wasn’t what Saints fans — or Carr — had hoped for. With a middling record, inconsistent offensive performance, and increasing scrutiny on the quarterback position, Carr often looked like a man burdened by expectation. Despite flashes of brilliance, he also battled injuries, media pressure, and growing doubts about his fit in New Orleans’ evolving offense.
“I’ve always tried to be the leader. I’ve always played through pain, through criticism,” Carr said. “But at some point, you ask yourself: at what cost?”
That question now looms large.
The Saints’ Gamble — and the Fallout
When the Saints signed Carr in 2023 after his nine-season stint with the Raiders, the hope was that he’d be the missing piece. A veteran presence, a strong arm, and a fresh start. But what wasn’t public at the time was the emotional toll Carr carried from his final years in Las Vegas.
“I never really got closure from that,” he admitted. “I was still processing everything, and maybe I rushed into something I wasn’t fully ready for.”
Now, with hindsight, Carr seems to believe retirement could have spared both him and the Saints a lot of heartache. “I love this team, but sometimes the right thing isn’t always the easy thing,” he said.
For the Saints organization, the situation is delicate. Carr still has time on his contract and is expected to compete for the starting job again in 2025 — but these comments raise red flags about long-term commitment and locker-room morale.
What Happens Next?
Carr’s confession throws open the door for speculation. Will the Saints look to the draft for a QB in 2026? Could a restructure or trade be on the horizon? And most importantly — does Carr have the fire to continue at the highest level?
Sources close to the team say Carr remains respected inside the locker room, but there’s also a growing sense that a shift in direction could be inevitable. The Saints have young talent eager for a shot, and the franchise’s playoff window won’t stay open forever.
As for Carr himself, he says he’s still committed — but also deeply aware of how close he came to calling it quits.
“If I’m going to keep playing, it has to mean something,” he said. “It has to feel right.”
Final Thoughts
Derek Carr’s brutally honest admission isn’t just a personal revelation — it’s a storyline that could shape the Saints’ future. As the NFL offseason heats up, all eyes will be on New Orleans to see how the team responds, and whether Carr can turn reflection into redemption.
For now, one thing is clear: Carr’s career is at a crossroads — and he’s not afraid to say it out loud.