Derek Carr Retires With $205 Million in Career Earnings — But No Playoff Wins.
On May 10, veteran NFL quarterback Derek Carr stunned fans and insiders alike by announcing his retirement. Just a year after signing a lucrative deal with the New Orleans Saints, Carr, 34, opted to step away from football rather than undergo major shoulder surgery that could have sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.
Though he’s walking away from $30 million in guaranteed money, Carr will still pocket a $10 million roster bonus—bringing his career earnings to a staggering $205,666,395 over 11 seasons. Not bad for a second-round pick out of Fresno State.
A Steady Career Built on Availability
Carr was drafted by the then-Oakland Raiders in 2014 and immediately named starter. Over his career, he played in at least 15 games each season, providing consistency and durability—rare traits in the league’s most scrutinized position. While he never quite reached the elite tier of quarterbacks, his numbers are nothing to scoff at:
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41,245 passing yards
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257 touchdowns
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112 interceptions
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92.8 career passer rating (15th all-time)
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Carr led the Raiders to a playoff berth in 2016, but a late-season fibula fracture sidelined him. In 2021, he finally made a postseason appearance, only to fall in the Wild Card round to the Bengals. Despite the lack of playoff wins, Carr remained a team leader and one of the league’s most reliable signal-callers.
A Quarterback Paid for Potential
Carr’s earnings place him 16th all-time among NFL players, ahead of Hall of Famers like Brett Favre and Joe Montana. He may not have had the hardware to match, but his paycheck reflects how the NFL often rewards potential, consistency, and availability over accolades.
For context:
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Tom Brady: $333M and 7 Super Bowls
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Joe Flacco: $175M and a Super Bowl MVP
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Russell Wilson: $266M, 2 Super Bowl appearances, 1 ring
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Sam Bradford: $130M, no playoff appearances
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Trent Dilfer: $20M and a Super Bowl ring
Carr’s career may invite debate, but it also shines a light on the razor-thin margins between good and great in pro football. He was respected by teammates, trusted by coaches, and always showed up—qualities that can’t be quantified in wins alone.
A Legacy of Leadership
While Carr retires without a playoff win, his impact goes beyond numbers and trophies. He carried himself with humility, faith, and leadership—both on and off the field. As he once said in an interview, “My goal has never been about stats. It’s about leading men.”
Derek Carr leaves the NFL with over $205 million earned, decades of memories made, and the respect of a league. In a sport defined by bruising hits and fleeting careers, Carr proved that showing up, giving your all, and staying true to yourself is a victory in its own right. His next chapter is unwritten—but the future looks bright.
