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 football quarterback currently playing for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. Before joining the Saints, Carr played college football at Fresno State, earning All-Mountain West Conference honors twice. He was drafted into the NFL by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, marking the start of his professional career. Carr is recognized for his skills and contributions as a quarterback.
2001: Most wins since 2001
In the 2013 season, the 11 wins marked the most for the Bulldogs since 2001.
2001: Highest Raiders quarterback rating since 2001
On December 7, Derek Carr posted a 140.2 rating, the highest for a Raiders quarterback since Rich Gannon in 2001.
2001: Bulldogs Highest Ranking since 2001
The Bulldogs reached as high as 15 in the AP Poll, their highest since 2001.
2002: First Raiders Quarterback to Start All 16 Games Since 2002
Derek Carr finished his rookie season and became the first Raiders quarterback to start all 16 games since Gannon in 2002.
2002: Raiders clinched playoff berth and first winning season
In 2002, Derek Carr led the Raiders to clinch their first playoff berth since 2002, with a 19-16 win over the Chargers. This win brought the Raiders to a 9-2 record and clinched their first winning season since 2002.
2002: Raiders Last Playoff Appearance
In 2016, Derek Carr helped the Raiders reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
2002: Last Pro Bowl Selection
On January 20, 2016, Derek Carr was selected for the Pro Bowl, becoming the first Raiders quarterback to be named to the Pro Bowl since Rich Gannon in 2002.
2007: Loss in Playoffs Quarterfinals
In 2007, as a junior, Derek Carr led his team to an undefeated season before losing in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs.
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: Named 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: Set 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: Named National Player of the Year
After his high school football career finished, Derek Carr was named the National Player of the Year by the National Private Schools Athletic Association in 2009.
2009: Enrolls Early at Fresno State
In 2009, Derek Carr enrolled as an early-entry freshman for the spring semester at Fresno State.
2009: First Recruit of 2009 Class
In 2009, Derek Carr was the program's first recruit of the 2009 class.
2011: First Season as Starter
In 2011, Derek Carr earned his opportunity to start for the Bulldogs in their 4-9 season.
2011: Starting Quarterback at Fresno State
In the fall of 2011, Derek Carr became the starting quarterback for Fresno State.
2012: New Head Coach and Improved Season
In 2012, Derek Carr had a new head coach, Tim DeRuyter, and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 9-4 season.
2012: MWC Offensive Player of the Year
In the 2012 season, Carr passed for 4,104 yards and 37 touchdowns. He won the MWC Offensive Player of the Year.
2013: CFPA Elite QB Award
Carr received the 2013 CFPA Elite QB Award for his performance over three seasons at Fresno State.
2013: Awards and Recognition
In the 2013 season, Carr won the Sammy Baugh Trophy and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
2013: Bulldogs 11-2 Record
In the 2013 season, Derek Carr helped lead the Bulldogs to an 11-2 record.
2013: Previous passing touchdowns record
McGloin had 3 passing touchdowns as a rookie in 2013.
2014: Drafted by the Oakland Raiders
In 2014, Derek Carr was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the NFL draft.
2014: Named Starting Quarterback
In 2014, Derek Carr was named the starting quarterback for the Raiders, becoming the first rookie quarterback in Raiders history to start a season opener.
2015: Second Season in the NFL
During his second season in 2015, Carr exited the game early with an injury, but returned to start the following week. He finished the season with 3,987 passing yards and 32 touchdowns as the Raiders went 7-9.
2016: Raiders Make Playoffs
In 2016, Derek Carr helped the Raiders reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
2016: Pro Bowl Selection
On January 20, 2016, Derek Carr was selected for the Pro Bowl, becoming the first Raiders quarterback to be named to the Pro Bowl since Rich Gannon in 2002.
June 22, 2017: Signed $125 million contract extension
On June 22, 2017, Derek Carr signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Raiders. This deal made him the highest paid player in the league at the time.
2017: Consecutive games started since 2017
Derek Carr had started 91 consecutive regular-season games for the Raiders dating back to 2017, the longest active starting streak for the same team by a quarterback before getting benched.
2017: 2017 Season Performance
During the 2017 season, Derek Carr finished with 3,496 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The Raiders finished with a 6-10 record and missed the playoffs.
2018: 2018 Season Performance
In the 2018 season, Derek Carr had a career-high 4,049 passing yards and career-low 19 touchdowns. The Raiders finished with a 4-12 record.
2019: 2019 Season Performance
During the 2019 season, Derek Carr finished with 4,054 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions as the Raiders finished with a 7–9 record. Carr also set a franchise record for completion percentage.
2020: 2020 Season
In the 2020 season, Derek Carr finished with 4,103 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and nine interceptions as the Raiders finished with an 8-8 record.
2021: Another Postseason Berth
In 2021, Carr helped the Raiders reach another postseason berth.
April 12, 2022: Signed three-year 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: Carr Loses Starting Job
Following a 2022 season that was below expectations, Carr lost his starting job and agreed with Raiders leadership to be released following the conclusion of the season.
2022: First Playoff Start and NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2022, Derek Carr had his first career playoff start, where he threw for 310 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Bengals. Carr was also ranked 65th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
March 6, 2023: Signed with the Saints
On March 6, 2023, Derek Carr signed a four-year contract worth $150 million with the New Orleans Saints.
2023: 2023 Season Performance
During the 2023 season, Derek Carr started all 17 games for the Saints and finished with 3,878 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns. The Saints went 9-8 but missed the postseason.
