History of Derek Carr in Timeline

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

1978: Uncle Plays for Raiders

In the 1978 season, Derek Carr's uncle, Lon Boyett, played for the Raiders as a tight end.

March 28, 1991: Derek Carr's Birth

On March 28, 1991, Derek Dallas Carr was born in Bakersfield, California. He is an American professional football quarterback.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Highest Ranking Since 2001

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

2001: Rich Gannon's Rating

In 2001, Rich Gannon had the highest Raiders quarterback rating until Carr surpassed it.

2001: Previous 11-win Season

In 2001, was the last time Fresno State had an 11-win season before Carr helped them reach it again in 2013.

2002: Brother Drafted

In 2002, Derek Carr's brother, David, was the first overall pick in the NFL draft, selected by the Houston Texans.

2002: Family Relocation to Texas

In 2002, Derek Carr's family relocated to Sugar Land, Texas, when his brother David Carr was drafted by the Houston Texans.

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.

2002: Raiders Last Playoff Appearance Before Carr

In 2002, was the Raiders last playoff appearance before Derek Carr helped them reach the playoffs in 2016.

2007: Playoff Loss

During his junior year in 2007, Derek Carr led his team to an undefeated 13–0 season before losing in the quarterfinals of the 2007 Class 5A Division 2 State playoffs to Katy High School.

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.

2008: Transfer to Bakersfield Christian High School

In 2008, Derek Carr transferred to Bakersfield Christian 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.

June 29, 2012: Marriage to Heather

On June 29, 2012, Derek Carr married his wife, Heather.

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.

2012: Brother's last year in NFL

In 2012, was Derek Carr's brother, David's, last season in the NFL.

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: McGloin set record

In 2013, McGloin set the Raiders record before Carr surpassed it.

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.

December 20, 2016: Named to Second Consecutive Pro Bowl

On December 20, 2016, Derek Carr was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl; however, an injury prevented him from participating.

2016: Raiders Reach Playoffs

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

2016: Carr Suffers Season-Ending Injury

In 2016, Derek Carr suffered a fibula fracture in Week 16, ending his season.

2016: Named to Pro Bowl

In 2016, Derek Carr was selected to replace Aaron Rodgers in the Pro Bowl, marking the first time a Raiders quarterback had been selected since Rich Gannon in 2002. He was also ranked 100th in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

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.

2017: Ranked in NFL Top 100

In 2017, Derek Carr was ranked 11th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2017: Number Retirement

In 2017, Derek Carr's number 4 was retired by Fresno State.

2017: Raiders Miss Playoffs

In the 2017 season, the Raiders finished with a 6-10 record and missed the playoffs. Derek Carr had 3,496 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

2017: Longest Active Starting Streak

Prior to being benched in 2022, Derek Carr had started 91 consecutive regular-season games for the Raiders dating back to 2017.

January 22, 2018: Named to Third Straight Pro Bowl

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

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.

July 14, 2019: Mural at Fresno State

On July 14, 2019, Derek Carr received a mural at his former college, Fresno State University.

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.

2022: Carr Benched and Steps Away

In 2022, Derek Carr was benched after Week 16. He and the Raiders agreed that he would step away from the team for the rest of the season. He finished the season with 3,522 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

January 31, 2023: Named to Pro Bowl as Replacement

On January 31, 2023, Derek Carr was announced as a replacement for Joe Burrow in the 2023 Pro Bowl.

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.