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 an American football quarterback who played 11 seasons in the NFL. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Fresno State, where he earned All-Mountain West Conference honors twice. Carr spent the majority of his career with the Raiders, becoming their starting quarterback and a prominent figure in the franchise.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: Gannon's last high rating

On December 7, Derek Carr led the Raiders to a 24-13 victory over the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Carr posted a 140.2 rating, the highest for a Raiders quarterback since Rich Gannon in 2001.

2002: Playoff Berth

In 2002, the Raiders had their last winning season, which Carr helped break in 2016, leading the Raiders to clinch their first playoff berth since 2002.

2002: Gannon starts 16 games

In 2014, Derek Carr became the first Raiders quarterback to start all 16 games since Gannon in 2002.

2009: Carr Enrolls Early at Fresno State

In 2009, Derek Carr enrolled as an early-entry freshman at Fresno State to participate in spring football. He appeared in five games that season in limited action.

2011: Carr's First Season as Starter

In 2011, Derek Carr earned the opportunity to start for the Bulldogs. That season, he passed for 3,544 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

2011: Carr Takes Over as Starting Quarterback

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

2012: Bulldogs Improve

In 2012, Derek Carr helped lead the Bulldogs to a significant improvement, going 9-4. This happened under a new head coach, Tim DeRuyter.

2012: Carr Wins MWC Offensive Player of the Year

In 2012, Derek Carr passed for 4,104 yards and 37 touchdowns, winning the MWC Offensive Player of the Year award. He also had a school-record tying 536 yards against San Diego State.

2013: Bulldogs Record 11 Wins

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

2013: Carr Leads FBS in Passing and Wins Sammy Baugh Trophy

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

2013: Carr Wins CFPA Elite QB Award

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

2013: McGloin sets record

In the fifth start of his career, on October 12, Carr made history by setting a new Raiders franchise record for the most passing touchdowns in a single regular-season game by a rookie, with four. This surpassed the previous record of three passing touchdowns, which was set by McGloin during his rookie season in 2013 versus the Texans.

2014: Carr Drafted by the Oakland Raiders

In 2014, Derek Carr was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the NFL Draft, with the 36th overall pick. He signed a four-year, $5.37 million contract.

2014: Carr Named Starting Quarterback for Raiders

In 2014, Raiders head coach Dennis Allen announced that Derek Carr would start as quarterback over Schaub, making Carr the first rookie quarterback in Raiders history to start a season opener.

2015: Carr's Second Season in the NFL

In 2015, Derek Carr finished the season with 3,987 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, helping the Raiders to a 7-9 record.

December 20, 2016: Named to Second Consecutive Pro Bowl

On December 20, 2016, Derek Carr was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl, though he was unable to participate due to an injury.

2016: Raiders reach playoffs

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

2016: Named to Pro Bowl

In 2016, Derek Carr was named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Aaron Rodgers. He was also ranked 100th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

June 22, 2017: Signed Contract Extension

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

2017: Started Consecutive Games

In 2017, Derek Carr began a streak of 91 consecutive games for the Raiders until he was benched during the 2022 season.

January 22, 2018: Named to Pro Bowl

On January 22, 2018, Derek Carr was named to his third straight Pro Bowl as a replacement for Tom Brady.

2019: Season Performance

In 2019, Derek Carr surpassed Ken Stabler for the Raiders' franchise all-time passing yards record and finished the season with 4,054 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions, leading the Raiders to a 7-9 record.

2021: Raiders reach playoffs

In 2021, Carr helped the Raiders reach playoffs.

April 12, 2022: Signed 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 the 2022 season, which was below expectations, Carr lost his starting job and agreed with the Raiders to be released after the season.

2022: First Playoff Start

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

2022: Benched for the Season

In 2022, Derek Carr was benched for the remainder of the season after a loss to the Steelers. Prior to being benched, Carr had started 91 consecutive games, the longest active starting streak for a quarterback at the time.

January 31, 2023: Named to Pro Bowl

On January 31, 2023, Derek Carr was selected to replace Joe Burrow in the 2023 Pro Bowl.

March 6, 2023: Signed with the Saints

On March 6, 2023, Derek Carr signed a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints for $150 million, reuniting with his former head coach from 2014, Dennis Allen.

May 10, 2025: Retirement

On May 10, 2025, Derek Carr announced his retirement from football due to a labral tear and other degenerative changes in his right shoulder, which prevented him from performing at a high level.