Fresno State alumnus Derek Carr ends NFL career due to shoulder issues. ‘Forever grateful’
Former Fresno State star quarterback Derek Carr has retired from the NFL after 11 seasons, where most of his career was spent with the Raiders.
Shoulder issues flared up for Carr and surgery was discussed, but it would have put him in the six-month window before he can rehab.
“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather, I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr wrote on social media. “For more than 11 years, we have been incredibly blessed, and we are forever grateful and humbled by this experience. 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 opted to retire with help from wife, Heather Carr.
The New Orleans Saints explained what led to Carr’s sudden 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 injury sustained during play on December 8, 2024. Derek immediately contacted the Saints Medical Team. 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,” the organization wrote on social media.
Carr, 34, played four seasons at Fresno State and set 27 school records and 21 Mountain West Conference records.
His stardom at Fresno State led to him being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the then-Oakland Raiders.
With the Raiders, he established several records, including passing yards and touchdowns.
He led the Raiders to the 2016 NFL playoffs as a wild-card team, but an unfortunate leg injury against the Indianapolis Colts in Oakland forced him to miss the rest of the season after a 12-3 start under former coach Jack Del Rio, including the playoffs game against the Houston Texans.
Carr got the Raiders back to the playoffs during the 2021 season after a win over the Los Angeles Chargers under interim coach Rich Bisaccia.
Carr last played for the Raiders during the 2022 season.
He joined the Saints in 2023 before calling it quits on Saturday.
Now, Carr will continue life with his family, likely residing in Fresno where he announced in the spring that the family is moving back to the area.
“I’m excited for our kids to have a place they can call home,” Carr said then. “We’ve moved a lot, and they’ve been asking me where we’re gonna grow up forever. We always told them Fresno. We finally get to do that. The kids are excited to do that. I’m excited for those things.”
Overall, Carr passed for 41,245 yards and 257 touchdowns.
