New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Saints have made their final roster decision regarding quarterback Derek Carr, officially placing him on the reserve/retired list. This move, finalized through the NFL’s official transaction wire, brings an end to Carr’s tumultuous two-season tenure with the Saints.
Carr’s retirement, announced a few weeks ago, was reportedly prompted by a lingering shoulder injury that would have required surgery, effectively sidelining him for the 2025 season. Rather than undergoing the procedure and potentially remaining on injured reserve, Carr opted to step away from the game.
This decision has significant salary cap implications for the Saints, most notably providing substantial relief for the 2026 season. While they will recoup Carr’s remaining base salary for the current year, the most impactful change comes in 2026, where they will avoid nearly $29 million in dead cap space that was previously projected. This unexpected cap flexibility is a welcome development for a franchise that has often navigated tight financial constraints.
Among the official moves on today’s transaction wire: The #Saints placed Derek Carr on the reserve/retired list and the #49ers put WR Trent Taylor on IR.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 3, 2025
Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the Saints in 2023 after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders. In his 27 games with New Orleans, he posted a 14-13 record, throwing for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Despite some flashes, he was unable to replicate the consistent success that defined much of his career with the Raiders, and his time in New Orleans was marred by injuries and inconsistent play.
With Carr officially off the roster, the Saints’ quarterback room is now a wide-open competition. The team drafted rookie Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he will compete with Spencer Rattler (2024 fifth-round pick) and Jake Haener (2023 fourth-round pick) for the starting job. Undrafted rookie Hunter Dekkers has also been added to the mix after impressing at rookie minicamp.
The Saints are now looking to a new era under head coach Kellen Moore, hoping to finally gain some long-term financial stability and develop a new franchise quarterback.