Derek Carr revealed Wednesday that one of his reasons for retiring early was because he didn't want to unnecessarily take up any of the New Orleans Saints' cap space.
"That part was tough because I didn't want to have surgery and just sit there and - it sounds crazy but - just take the Saints' money," Carr said to Front Office Sports' David Rumsey.
Carr added: "I never played just for the money. I had a whole bunch of people tell me how crazy I was, and 'Man, I would never have done that.' That's all cool, but I've gained all these things that the world has to offer, and it doesn't really do anything for your heart. I knew my heart was at peace, and that's really all that mattered."
The quarterback gave up the $30-million salary he was expected to earn in 2025, but he retained his $10-million signing bonus for being on the roster in March. Carr had two years left on the four-year, $150-million deal he signed in 2023.
The 34-year-old retired in May because of a shoulder injury. Carr had experienced pain in his right shoulder in late March, and scans revealed a labral tear with significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. The quarterback would have required surgery to play the upcoming season.
"I wouldn't have been able to play if I had the surgery," Carr told Rumsey. "And then if I tried to play with it, I wasn't near 100%, and so that doesn't help (the Saints) either. I just felt like it was the right thing to do for myself and for the team."
Carr played two seasons with the Saints after spending the first nine years of his career with the then-Oakland Raiders. He finished with a 14-13 record in New Orleans, throwing 40 touchdowns and 13 picks. Carr missed seven games of the 2024 season because of injury, with the team finishing 5-12.
The Saints quarterback room currently consists of Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and rookie Tyler Shough.