Now that it’s June 2, the New Orleans Saints can officially close the door on Derek Carr and Ryan Ramczyk’s careers and file their retirement papers.
Ramczyk and Carr got to this point in similar yet different ways. Both men dealt with injuries that could impact life after football. Ramczyk managed a degenerative knee injury for years before essentially hanging it up before last season.
Carr’s departure was dramatically more sudden and high profile. He exited last season due to injury but was expected to return this upcoming season. Then, the chatter began to build around his 2025 season being in jeopardy. That quickly turned into him leaving the game permanently.
With their careers over, Ramczyk will be remembered fondly, while Carr will be a face of an era Saints fans will try to forget. What is the fallout from these departures.
Derek Carr and Ryan Ramczyk’s retirement puts $42 million back in the Saints’ pockets
Though their retirements had been previously announced, the Saints designated them as post-June 1 moves to spread out the financial hit. It will also result in the Saints getting some money back.
The Saints will get $1.255 million back in 2025 as a result of Carr’s retirement. The big return comes in 2026. The team gets another $28.745 million in saving next year.
That number is a little less drastic for the offensive tackle. Ramczyk was paid less than Carr, so the ceiling on return is logically lower. The $1.255 million in 2025 saving is the same, but New Orleans will recoup $11.083 million next year.
Saints drafted each player’s replacement
The Saints didn’t waste any time getting a new offensive tackle or quarterback. New Orleans drafted Taliese Fuaga in the 2024 NFL draft. He played left tackle but is moving to right tackle after the Saints drafted Kelvin Banks Jr. the following year.
Before Carr even announced his retirement, the Saints already made Tyler Shough their highest drafted quarterback since Archie Manning. It’s clear Kellen Moore was planning for the future. Carr’s retirement may have just pushed the timeline up a year.
The biggest battle of the year will be Shough versus Spencer Rattler. The winner of the competition will be the Saints starting quarterback this season.
Effectiveness will be determined, but the Saints already have a plan in place to replace the retiring Carr and Ramczyk.