History of Derek Carr in Timeline
Derek Carr is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Fresno State, earning accolades and recognition. In 2014, he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders, where he spent the majority of his professional career.
1978: Lon Boyett Plays for Raiders
Derek Carr's uncle, Lon Boyett, played tight end for the Raiders during the 1978 season, highlighting a family connection to the team.
March 28, 1991: Derek Carr's Birth
Derek Dallas Carr was born on March 28, 1991.
2001: Fresno State Bulldogs Football
During the 2001 season, Derek Carr began his college football career with the Fresno State Bulldogs. This marked the beginning of his journey in the sport.
2001: First NFL Victory and Impressive Performance
In 2001, Derek Carr achieved his first NFL victory, leading the Raiders to an upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs. His performance showcased his potential and marked a significant milestone in his career.
2001: Most Wins Since 2001
The Bulldogs' 11 wins in 2013 marked their highest win total since 2001.
2002: Passing Touchdown Milestone
By 2002, Derek Carr had already thrown for a significant number of touchdowns, solidifying his position as a rising star in the NFL. His early success indicated his potential for a long and impactful career.
2002: Relocation to Texas
Derek Carr and his family relocated to Sugar Land, Texas in 2002 after his brother, David Carr, was drafted by the Houston Texans.
2002: Rookie Season Completion
Derek Carr finished his rookie season in 2002 having started all 16 games, a testament to his resilience and the trust placed in him by the Raiders.
2002: David Carr Drafted by Texans
Derek Carr's brother, David, was drafted first overall by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL Draft, marking a significant moment for the Carr family in football.
2002: First Winning Season and Playoff Berth Since 2002
In 2002, The Raiders had their first winning season and playoff berth since 2002.
2002: Franchise's First Playoff Appearance Since 2002
The Raiders' playoff appearance in 2016 was their first since 2002.
2007: Undefeated Season with Clements High School
While a junior at Clements High School in 2007, Derek Carr led his team to an undefeated 13-0 season, culminating in the Class 5A Division 2 State playoffs quarterfinals.
May 25, 2008: Verbal Commitment to Fresno State
On May 25, 2008, Derek Carr verbally committed to Fresno State, where his brother, David, had also played quarterback.
October 29, 2008: National Football Player of the Week
On October 29, 2008, Derek Carr was recognized by ESPN RISE as the National Football Player of the Week.
November 7, 2008: Central Section Record
Derek Carr set a Central Section record by throwing 544 yards in a win against Arvin High School on November 7, 2008.
2008: Transfer to Bakersfield Christian High School
In 2008, Derek Carr transferred to Bakersfield Christian High School for his senior year.
2009: Enrolls at Fresno State
Derek Carr enrolled early at Fresno State in 2009 to participate in spring football.
2009: National Player of the Year
Derek Carr was named the National Player of the Year by the National Private Schools Athletic Association in 2009.
2009: First Recruit of the 2009 Class
Derek Carr was the first recruit of the 2009 class for Fresno State.
2010: Redshirts Season
Derek Carr redshirted his 2010 season.
2011: Starting Quarterback for Fresno State
Derek Carr became the starting quarterback for Fresno State in the fall of 2011.
2011: Breakout Season
In 2011, Derek Carr had a breakout season, passing for 3,544 yards and 26 touchdowns while leading the Bulldogs to a 4-9 record.
June 29, 2012: Marriage and Family Life
Derek Carr married Heather on June 29, 2012. They have three sons and a daughter. His eldest son's health challenges, involving intestinal malrotation, have been a significant part of their family journey.
2012: End of David Carr's NFL Career
David Carr's NFL playing career, spanning from 2002 to 2012, concluded, marking the end of an era for the former first overall pick.
2012: Career Year and MWC Offensive Player of the Year
Derek Carr had a career year in 2012, passing for 4,104 yards and 37 touchdowns. He was named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
2012: New Head Coach and Team Improvement
Tim DeRuyter was hired as the new head coach for the Bulldogs in 2012. The team showed significant improvement, going 9-4.
2013: Successful Season
The Bulldogs had a successful season in 2013, finishing 11-2.
2013: Franchise Record for Passing Touchdowns
In 2013, during a game against the San Diego Chargers, Derek Carr set a new Raiders franchise record for the most passing touchdowns in a single regular-season game by a rookie.
2013: NCAA Passing Leader and Awards
In 2013, Derek Carr led the FBS with 5,083 passing yards and 50 touchdowns. He earned the Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded to the nation's top collegiate passer, and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
2013: CFPA Elite QB Award
Derek Carr received the 2013 CFPA Elite QB Award for his outstanding performance over three seasons at Fresno State. This accolade recognized his exceptional skills as a quarterback.
2014: Reunion with Dennis Allen
Carr's move to the Saints in 2023 reunited him with Dennis Allen, who was his head coach with the Raiders in 2014.
2014: Starting Quarterback
Derek Carr made history as the first rookie quarterback in Raiders history to start a season opener. He was named the starting quarterback for the Raiders.
2014: NFL Draft and Signing
Derek Carr's NFL journey began when he was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. This marked his entry into professional football. He signed a four-year contract with the team.
2014: Drafted by the Oakland Raiders
In 2014, Derek Carr was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the NFL draft.
2015: Injury and Strong Performances
During the 2015 season, Derek Carr faced a setback with an injury to his throwing hand but showcased his resilience by returning to the field. He delivered several strong performances, demonstrating his growth and development as a quarterback.
December 20, 2016: Pro Bowl Selection
On December 20, 2016, Derek Carr was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
2016: Raiders Reach Playoffs
Derek Carr helped the Raiders reach the playoffs in 2016, marking their first appearance since 2002.
2016: Pro Bowl Selection and Recognition
In 2016, Derek Carr received recognition for his performance by being selected for the Pro Bowl, showcasing his emergence as one of the league's top quarterbacks.
2016: Season-Ending Injury and Playoff Loss
In 2016, Derek Carr suffered a season-ending fibula fracture during a game against the Indianapolis Colts. As a result, he missed the Raiders' playoff run, which ended with a loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.
June 22, 2017: Signs Record-Breaking Contract Extension
On June 22, 2017, Derek Carr signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Raiders, making him the highest-paid player in the league at the time.
2017: Missed Playoffs and Career-Long Touchdown Pass
In 2017, The Raiders missed the playoffs, but Derek Carr threw a career-long 87-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper.
2017: Number Retirement
In 2017, Fresno State retired Derek Carr's number 4, a tribute to his significant contributions to the university's football program and his impact as a player.
2017: Ranked 11th on NFL Top 100 Players
Derek Carr was ranked 11th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.
2017: Start of Consecutive Starts Streak
Derek Carr began a streak of 91 consecutive regular-season games started for the Raiders in 2017, marking a significant period of consistency in his career.
January 22, 2018: Pro Bowl Replacement Selection
On January 22, 2018, Derek Carr was named to his third straight Pro Bowl as a replacement for Tom Brady.
2018: New Coach and Franchise Record
In 2018, Derek Carr played under new head coach Jon Gruden and broke the franchise record for most passes without an interception.
July 14, 2019: Fresno State Mural
On July 14, 2019, Derek Carr's legacy at Fresno State was further cemented with the unveiling of a mural in his honor.
2019: Breaking Records and Franchise Milestones
In 2019, Derek Carr broke the Raiders' franchise record for all-time passing yards, surpassing Ken Stabler. He also became the only quarterback besides Peyton Manning to complete 300 passes in each of his first six seasons.
2020: Solid Season Despite Injury
In 2020, Derek Carr had a solid season despite a groin injury, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns.
2021: Another Playoff Berth
Derek Carr helped the Raiders reach another playoff berth in 2021.
April 12, 2022: Contract Extension and Season Start
On April 12, 2022, Derek Carr signed a three-year contract extension with the Raiders. The Raiders had a mixed start to the season, including a three-game winning streak.
2022: Released by the Raiders
Following a disappointing 2022 season, Derek Carr was released by the Raiders.
2022: Playoff Appearance and NFL Top 100 Return
In 2022, Derek Carr made his first playoff appearance since 2016 and returned to the NFL Top 100 Players list after a three-year absence.
2022: Benching and Departure from Raiders
In 2022, Derek Carr was benched from the Raiders after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending his consecutive starts streak. This decision led to his departure from the team.
January 31, 2023: Pro Bowl Selection
On January 31, 2023, Derek Carr was selected to replace Joe Burrow in the Pro Bowl, marking a significant recognition of his performance.
March 6, 2023: Signing with the New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on March 6, 2023, marking a new chapter in his career.
2023: Shoulder Injury and Strong Finish with Saints
In 2023, Derek Carr experienced a shoulder injury while playing for the Saints. Despite this setback, he helped lead the team to a strong finish, showcasing his resilience and passing abilities.