Derek Carr chose to retire instead of collecting a guaranteed $30 million salary in 2025 from the New Orleans Saints, citing discomfort with taking money while recovering from shoulder surgery. He felt that accepting the salary without being able to contribute to the team was not right, stating that retirement was the best choice for himself and the Saints. Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Carr earned $195.7 million, and despite leaving a significant sum on the table, he emphasized that his peace of mind was more valuable than the money.
