Derek Carr’s Camp Gauged Outside Interest Before Retirement
In the days leading up to his surprising retirement from the NFL, quarterback Derek Carr’s representatives reportedly reached out to other teams to gauge potential interest in his services, according to multiple league sources. The outreach came despite Carr still being under contract with the New Orleans Saints, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his abrupt exit from the league.
At 34, Carr was coming off a season marked by injuries, including a significant labral tear and degenerative damage in his rotator cuff. While he publicly cited health concerns as the driving factor behind his decision to retire, the new reports suggest his departure may have also been influenced by shifting dynamics within the Saints’ organization.
With New Orleans transitioning under new head coach Kellen Moore, the team recently drafted quarterback Tyler Shough and added rookies Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener to the quarterback room. The influx of young talent likely signaled a reduced role for Carr, prompting his camp to quietly explore other options around the league.
Sources close to the situation say at least two quarterback-needy teams were contacted, though it’s unclear whether any formal offers or serious discussions took place. While not unprecedented, seeking outside interest without formal permission could draw scrutiny from league officials if proven to violate any contractual terms.
Carr retires after 11 seasons in the NFL, spending nine with the Raiders and two with the Saints. A four-time Pro Bowler, he leaves the game with more than 35,000 passing yards and 217 touchdown passes. Despite never winning a playoff game, Carr was often viewed as a steady, durable presence behind center, known for his leadership and work ethic.
His retirement leaves the Saints in a state of transition at the quarterback position, with no clear-cut starter heading into the summer. Meanwhile, Carr’s quiet flirtation with a return elsewhere, even briefly, adds an unexpected footnote to the end of a career that was anything but ordinary.
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