Derek Carr is the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. Carr was born in Bakersfield, California, where he played high school football at Bakersfield Christian High School. Carr received collegiate offers from Utah, SMU, and Fresno State, and ended up close to home in Fresno, where he tore up the Mountain West Conference with the help of star wide receiver teammate Davante Adams. Carr didn’t play much as a freshman, but threw for 12,731 yards in the latter three seasons of his college career, including 7.87 yards per attempt, 113 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
The Oakland Raiders selected Derek Carr in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 36th overall selection. Carr was a stabilizing force in the Raiders’ organization. Up until the 2022 season, he missed just two games in his career (three if you include the Raiders’ 2016 playoff game). Carr’s best season was in 2021. Overcoming organizational adversity, Carr set career highs in multiple categories. He attempted 626 passes, completing 428, both of which were career highs. His 4,804 passing yards also blew away his previous record of 4,103 and helped him finish No. 5 among quarterbacks that season. He was also QB14 in fantasy in 2021. He finished No. 5 in Air Yards (5,071) and Deep Ball Attempts (77), and No. 13 with a 52.7 QBR. His 7.7 Yards Per Attempt and 73.4-percent True Completion Percentage both ranked No. 7. Carr helped lead the Raiders to the playoffs in 2021 despite the turmoil that characterized their season. His first postseason appearance, however, ended in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the 2022 offseason, Carr signed a 3-year, $121.5 million contract with the Raiders and they also traded for All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. Carr's yardage numbers were down in 2022. He threw for 3,522 yards - nearly 1300 yards fewer than the previous season, but had 24 touchdowns (14 to Adams). The relationship between Carr and the Raiders went bad during the 2022 season and the team released him before the contract deadline in February of 2022. He then signed a 4-year, $150 million contract with the Saints, including $100 million guaranteed. He gets a fresh start in New Orleans, and will be their starter for the foreseeable future.
