"While Carr eventually will land on the Saints’ reserve/retired list, an unretirement in 2026 would likely trigger an immediate release of his rights, given that his 2025 salary of $30 million would immediately hit the cap. At most, the Saints would finagle a late-round pick from a team interested in signing him."

The legacy of Derek Carr with the Las Vegas Raiders is one of statistical dominance, franchise loyalty, and a bittersweet conclusion due to injury and early retirement.

Facing a long recovery from a shoulder injury, Derek Carr has instead opted to retire from football after 11 seasons.