The NFL world was shocked on Saturday when Derek Carr announced his retirement after 11 seasons as a quarterback in the league. His departure from the game was due in large part to a serious injury to his throwing shoulder that likely would've kept him out for the entire 2025 season.

The New Orleans Saints wasted no time replacing Derek Carr on their roster.New Orleans announced it would sign controversial undrafted rookie free agent Hunter Dekkers mere days after Carr’s surprise retirement announcement.

There is some precedent for quarterbacks making a return to the NFL at age 35 or older. Tom Brady announced his retirement in February 2022 only to announce his return 40 days later. Brett Favre retired and returned multiple times prior to his final NFL season in 2010. But neither of those situations involved Carr's shoulder injury.