Retired Carr: Couldn't 'just take' Saints' money

Derek Carr knew helium was successful a predicament regarding his enarthrosis wounded and NFL aboriginal but said helium yet decided to discontinue due to the fact that helium didn't privation to "just take" wealth from the New Orleans Saints.

Carr announced his retirement May 10, with the Saints saying the backmost had a labral teardrop and "significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff." Surgery was considered an option, arsenic was trying to play done the injury, but Carr told Front Office Sports that helium yet didn't consciousness close with either possibility.

"That portion was pugnacious due to the fact that I didn't privation to person country and conscionable beryllium determination and -- it sounds brainsick but -- conscionable instrumentality the Saints money," Carr told Front Office Sports for a communicative published Wednesday.

"I wouldn't person been capable to play if I had the surgery," Carr added. "And past if I tried to play with it, I wasn't adjacent 100%, and truthful that doesn't assistance them either. I conscionable felt similar it was the close happening to bash for myself and for the team."

Carr signed a four-year, $150 cardinal declaration with the Saints successful 2023. He forfeited his $30 cardinal basal wage for the 2025 play owed to his retirement, though helium did get to support a $10 cardinal roster bonus for 2025.

With Carr retired, the Saints are present holding a backmost contention among second-round prime Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. The Saints had known astir Carr's wounded since March and went done the draught process awaiting clarity connected his future.

"He did everything helium could," Saints manager Kellen Moore said of Carr past month. "As he's gone done this, he's communicated highly well. He's worked truly hard to himself successful position, and yet this was the outcome."

Now that helium is successful his post-playing career, Carr said helium is unfastened to the thought of getting into broadcasting, astir apt astatine the assemblage level. He besides said coaching could beryllium a possibility.

But for now, Carr said helium is enjoying being distant from shot and spending clip with his family.

"My cause virtually texted maine a fewer days agone and helium said, 'Hey, conscionable checking it in. How's everything? You inactive consciousness comfy with the decision?' And I sent him a representation of maine connected the formation with my 2 kids playing. And I said, 'This beats an OTA immoderate day.' And helium said, 'Yeah, I thought so,'" Carr told Front Office Sports. "So I'm doing large and person thoroughly enjoyed being home."

Information from ESPN's Katherine Terrell was utilized successful this report.