Derek Carr announces retirement from the NFL

Derek Carr shocked the football world on Saturday when he announced his retirement from the NFL at age 34.

Carr, a member of the New Orleans Saints, was dealing with a right shoulder injury that had put his 2025 season in jeopardy. While surgery was an option, the 34-year-old decided instead to call it quits.

Carr’s best season came with the Raiders in 2016, when he threw for 3,937 yards and 28 touchdowns against 6 interceptions in 15 games. In two years with the Saints, Carr threw for 6,023 yards and 40 touchdowns with 13 picks in 27 games, finishing as the QB27 (2023) and QB20 (2024) in fantasy points per game.

Translation: You weren’t using Carr in fantasy even if he had made it back onto the field for 2025. The question, then, is what Carr’s absence means for the Saints’ offensive weapons, primarily Chris Olave The Saints are likely to lean on second-round rookie Tyler Shough, though it’s possible incumbents Spencer Rattler and/or Jake Haener could get some time, especially early in the season, if Shough isn’t ready. Per the FTN Fantasy Splits Tool, in 10 games with Carr last year, the Saints averaged 24.5 points per game, compared to 13.3 without the veteran QB. So the team is definitely going to want Shough to seize the job.

Assuming he does, the rookie QB is likely to lean on his veteran receiver. Assuming he’s healthy, Olave should command a huge target share. The quality of those targets and the touchdown upside are going to be a big question, but at least in PPR leagues, Olave promises a big weekly floor.

Ultimately, there is no fantasy winner of Carr’s retirement. The Saints offense is almost certain to be worse. But the one hurt the least is probably Alvin Kamara, plus maybe Kendre Miller. Expect a heavy dose of the running game in New Orleans, which means Kamara and maybe Miller should get a lot of carries and the potential for a lot of fantasy production, even in a worse overall offensive environment.