Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Derek Carr

Discover the career path of Derek Carr, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Derek Carr is a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. Before joining the Saints, he played college football at Fresno State, earning All-Mountain West Conference honors twice. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: Highest Ranking Since 2001

Fresno State achieved their highest ranking of 15 in the AP Poll since 2001 during the 2013 season.

2002: Gannon Starts All Games

In 2002, Gannon was the last Raiders quarterback to start all 16 games before Carr.

2002: Last Raiders QB in Pro Bowl

In 2002, Rich Gannon was the last Raiders quarterback to be named to the Pro Bowl prior to Derek Carr being named to the Pro Bowl in 2016.

2002: Raiders Clinch Playoff Berth and Winning Season

In 2002, before the 2016 season, was the last time the Raiders had clinched a playoff berth and a winning season.

May 25, 2008: Verbal Commitment to Fresno State

On May 25, 2008, Derek Carr verbally committed to Fresno State at the end of his junior year.

October 29, 2008: National Football Player of the Week

On October 29, 2008, Derek Carr was selected by ESPN RISE as the National Football Player of the Week.

November 7, 2008: Central Section Record

On November 7, 2008, Derek Carr set a Central Section record by throwing 544 yards in a win against Arvin High School.

2009: Early Enrollment at Fresno State

In 2009, Derek Carr enrolled as an early-entry freshman at Fresno State and appeared in five games.

2009: First Recruit

In 2009, Derek Carr was the first recruit for the Fresno State program.

2009: National Player of the Year

In 2009, after his high school football career, Derek Carr was named the National Player of the Year by the National Private Schools Athletic Association.

2010: Redshirt Season

Derek Carr redshirted his 2010 season at Fresno State.

2011: First Season as Starter

In 2011, Derek Carr started as quarterback for the Bulldogs and had a breakout game against Idaho with 371 passing yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions, also passing for 3,544 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions overall.

2011: Starting Quarterback

In the fall of 2011, Derek Carr took over the starting quarterback position for Fresno State.

2012: MWC Offensive Player of the Year

In 2012, Derek Carr had a career game against San Diego State with 536 passing yards and finished the season with 4,104 yards and 37 touchdowns. He was named MWC Offensive Player of the Year.

2012: New Head Coach and Improved Season

In 2012, Tim DeRuyter became Derek Carr's new head coach, and Davante Adams emerged as a key target, leading the Bulldogs to a 9–4 season.

2013: CFPA Elite QB Award

Derek Carr received the 2013 CFPA Elite QB Award for his performance at Fresno State.

2013: Awards and Recognition

In 2013, Derek Carr led the FBS with 5,083 yards and 50 touchdowns, won the Sammy Baugh Trophy, and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.

2013: Bulldogs achieve 11 Wins

In the 2013 season, Derek Carr helped lead the Bulldogs to an 11-2 record, marking the most wins since 2001.

2014: Dennis Allen Head Coach

In 2014, Dennis Allen was Derek Carr's coach on the Raiders.

2014: Starting Quarterback Announcement

In 2014, Derek Carr was announced as the starting quarterback for the Raiders, becoming the first rookie quarterback in Raiders history to start a season opener.

2014: Drafted by the Oakland Raiders

In 2014, Derek Carr was drafted by the Oakland Raiders, assigned number 4, and signed a four-year contract.

2015: Injury and Successful Season

In 2015, Derek Carr sustained an injury early in the season but returned to lead the Raiders to a 7–9 record, throwing for 3,987 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.

2016: Raiders Reach Playoffs

In 2016, Derek Carr helped the Raiders reach the playoffs, marking the franchise's first appearance since 2002.

June 22, 2017: Signs Contract Extension with Raiders

On June 22, 2017, Derek Carr signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Raiders, which briefly made him the league's highest-paid player.

2018: Carr's Season with New Coach Gruden

In the 2018 season with new head coach Jon Gruden, Derek Carr threw for a career-high 4,049 passing yards, a career-low 19 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. The Raiders finished with a 4-12 record.

2019: Carr Sets Franchise Record

In 2019, Derek Carr surpassed Ken Stabler for the Raiders' franchise all-time record for passing yards. He finished the season with 4,054 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and a franchise record for completion percentage.

2020: Carr's 2020 Season Performance

In the 2020 season, Derek Carr recorded 4,103 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and nine interceptions as the Raiders finished with an 8-8 record.

2021: Another Postseason Berth

In 2021, Derek Carr secured another postseason berth for the Raiders.

April 12, 2022: Signs Contract Extension

On April 12, 2022, Derek Carr signed a three-year, $121.5 million contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders, including a no-trade clause.

2022: Loss of Starting Job

Following a 2022 season below expectations, Derek Carr lost his starting job with the Raiders and agreed to be released.

2022: Playoff Loss to Bengals

In 2022, Derek Carr made his first career playoff start against the Bengals, throwing for 310 yards and a touchdown but also losing a fumble and throwing a game-losing interception. He was later ranked 65th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

March 6, 2023: Signs with Saints

On March 6, 2023, Derek Carr signed a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, reuniting with former 2014 Raiders head coach Dennis Allen.

2023: Carr's First Season with Saints

In the 2023 season, Derek Carr started all 17 games for the Saints, finishing with 3,878 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. The Saints missed the postseason with a 9-8 record.