



New Orleans Saints veteran starting quarterback Derek Carr has decided to retire because of a labral tear and degenerative rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder, the team announced Saturday.
Carr, 34, has played for 11 pro seasons since being selected out of Fresno State by the then-Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft.
He was acquired by the Saints as a free agent in 2023 but had mixed results in New Orleans, going 14-13 as a starter while struggling through oblique, hand and head injuries that caused him to miss seven games last season.
Carr, who was set to enter the third year of a four-year, $150 million contract, has career passing totals of 41,245 yards, 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions.
He retires with a 77-92 record as a starter without ever having won a playoff game.
Carr’s retirement comes after New Orleans used a high second-round draft choice to select Louisville’s Tyler Shough as a potential future starting quarterback — although it remains to be seen how quickly he can be ready for that role.
Other QBs on the Saints’ roster include second-year pro Spencer Rattler and third-year player Jake Haener, who did post a victory between them in seven games last season, six of which Rattler started.
Jags’ Hunter wowing in rookie minicamp
After spending two days working solely at receiver during Jacksonville’s rookie minicamp, two-way star Travis Hunter will move to the other side of the ball next week.
Coach Liam Coen said that Hunter will start getting repetitions on defense when the team reconvenes for offseason conditioning.
It should set the stage for Hunter’s expansive role during organized team activities.
Sanders blocking out noise at Browns’ camp
Trying to get his jersey number back is the least of Shedeur Sanders’ worries.
The Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback knows he has a long way to go before he even considers making an offer to receiver DeAndre Carter to wear No. 2.
“I’m not trying to buy anything. My signing bonus ain’t that high right now,” Sanders told the media before Saturday’s practice at rookie minicamp.
Sanders took No. 12 because he said it was the best number available. It was also the number Tom Brady wore while winning seven Super Bowl championships.
Brady said during a podcast appearance earlier this week that he texted Sanders after the draft and told him to use his slide to the 144th overall pick as motivation. Brady was the 199th pick in the 2000 draft.
Ward competing for Titans’ top QB job
The Tennessee Titans have made clear they aren’t ready to name a starter at quarterback despite taking Cam Ward out of Miami with the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Ward has given them a glimpse at rookie minicamp at how quickly he might challenge for the job.
The Titans drafted Ward to be the franchise quarterback after a third straight losing season landed them the No. 1 overall pick.
The franchise it made clear he will have to win the job competing in training camp and the preseason.
His competition features Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in 2023.