Derek Carr’s retirement decision draws strong 4-word message from Dennis Allen

Ex-Saints head coach Dennis Allen had a simple yet powerful reaction to Derek Carr deciding to retire on Saturday.

The New Orleans Saints won't have Derek Carr around anymore after he announced his retirement on Saturday. The quarterback was expected to miss the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury that has continued to bother him.

After Carr decided to hang up the cleats, former Saints head coach Dennis Allen reacted to the news with a simple four-word message.

Via Patrick Finley:

“I love Derek Carr,” Allen said.

Carr had a labral tear in his throwing shoulder and a degenerative rotator cuff issue. He could've undergone surgery, but that wouldn't guarantee the quarterback would be able to play again. The Saints released a statement on Carr's decision:

“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 Saints said, via ESPN.

Carr also spoke out on his retirement after 11 seasons in the NFL:

“Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with [wife] Heather, I've decided to retire from the National Football League,” Carr said in a statement released by the team. “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.”

The Saints now have three very inexperienced quarterbacks on their roster in Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener. There's speculation Shough could be the starter, but we'll first have to see how training camp goes.

Carr joined the Saints prior to the 2023 season. He played 17 games that year, completing 68% of his passes for 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions. The veteran was limited to only 10 appearances in 2024 because of his shoulder injury.

Tyler Shough in line to be Week 1 starting QB after Derek Carr retirement

The New Orleans Saints could make Tyler Shough QB1 for Week 1 of the 2025 season after Derek Carr suddenly retired.

The NFL world was rocked on Saturday morning as New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr announced his retirement amid a shoulder injury. While Carr was expected to miss the entire 2025 season, it still came as a surprise that he suddenly decided to hang up the cleats at 34 years old.

That leaves the Saints in an unknown position when it comes to their next QB1. However, it appears second-round rookie Tyler Shough, who was just drafted out of Louisville, has a legitimate chance at starting in Week 1.

Via Jordan Schultz:

“With the uncertainty of Derek Carr’s future looming, the Saints took Tyler Shough in the 2nd-round knowing there was a real chance he would need to compete for the starting role. Many scouts and executives felt his skillset could immediately translate…

New Orleans now has three QBs on its roster with limited or no experience — including Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.”

The Saints' QB room is looking inexperienced and young. Spencer Rattler struggled immensely in limited action in 2024, while Jake Haener didn't exactly play well last season either, in eight games, posting a 46% completion rate.

When it comes to Shough, he threw for over 3,000 yards last year for Louisville, including 23 touchdowns against six interceptions. However, there was speculation as to why the Saints drafted him so high, especially because he was one of the quarterbacks to be taken before Shedeur Sanders. It feels like Sanders could've been the perfect selection given Carr's decision to call it quits.

On a more positive note, Shough does have experience. He played six college seasons and will be a 25-year-old rookie. The signal-caller turns 26 in September. While he may get the opportunity to be the starter in the season opener, there are two guys right behind him hungry for a chance to prove themselves as well.

The Saints are evidently heading in a new direction, but it's not exactly one fans are going to be excited about. Only time will tell how their QB situation will play out.