Ex-Cowboys OL Ross Tucker Hints That Derek Carr’s Retirement Is Temporary

Ross Tucker believes that Derek Carr will be back to collect the $30 million and the retirement is a means to recover from his shoulder injury without the media poking too much into his business.

Ex-Cowboys OL Ross Tucker Hints That Derek Carr’s Retirement Is Temporary

Derek Carr and Ross Tucker (Image via IMAGO/X)

Last week, longtime servant of the game Derek Carr unexpectedly announced his retirement from football, dealing the New Orleans Saints a massive blow. They knew Carr was having a rough time because of his shoulder injury. However, hardly anyone predicted he would walk away while $30 million was at stake.

Former Cowboys offensive lineman turned football broadcaster Ross Tucker, on his podcast, asked Saints fans to take the news of Carr’s retirement with a grain of salt. Tucker argued that no NFL player has ever let go of $30 million before, and Carr stepping down from the position as the Saints quarterback could be temporary.

NFL players do not voluntarily give up $30 million. Nobody does… Which means that the Saints made it clear to Carr and his representation [that] if you just go have the surgery and go on IR, we’re going to fight this. We’re going to file a grievance.

Ross Tucker said

Tucker hypothesized that the Saints might file a grievance that they weren’t aware of Carr opting for retirement. Like many others, the NFC South team figured the 34-year-old would return after surgery. Moreover, the Saints brass can easily argue Carr’s injury happened when he was outside of the facility.

Regardless of the reason, Tucker doesn’t believe this is the end of Derek Carr’s journey with the Saints.

I’m not 100% convinced that Derek Carr never plays football again… I’m not say [ing] he will [but] I’m just not 100% convinced that he won’t [unretire either.]

Ross Tucker said

Carr already bagged $10 million from his early retirement. But with $30 million still on the table, he might change his mind after rehab.

Tucker also reminded the Saints that they won’t find a better year to fix their salary cap issue. If rebuilding the team is their motive, then it has to begin with the quarterback.

Former Saints head coach weighs in on Derek Carr’s retirement

Kellen Moore took charge of the Saints’ head coaching position after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win in New Orleans earlier this year as the team’s offensive coordinator. Before Moore, Dennis Allen steered the Saints’ ship for quite some time before he was fired midway through last season.

Ex-Cowboys OL Ross Tucker Hints That Derek Carr's Retirement Is Temporary
Derek Carr (Image via IMAGO)

Allen, now the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator, weighed in on his experience of coaching Carr following his retirement.

My experience with him was outstanding. I mean, what a great individual… I haven’t spoken to him, [but] I just saw that [Carr’s retirement] right before we walked onto the practice field [in Chicago] today. He did a lot of good things, and he was always somebody that was pleasant to be around in the building.

Dennis Allen said via Athlon Sports

Allen was part of the Oakland Raiders team that drafted Carr in 2014. He brought the former second-rounder to New Orleans in 2023. He played every game that year, completing 3,878 yards with 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions as the Saints finished with a 9-8 record.

The Saints had an amazing start to the 2024 season. Carr led the team to consecutive victories, averaging over 40+ points. However, they ran out of juice from week three and didn’t win a single game until week 10 against the Falcons.

Carr’s year ended after he injured himself in week 14 against the Giants. The Saints’ campaign ended with a 5-12 record.

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