Derek Carr

Derek Carr is a former professional NFL quarterback whose 11-season career established him as one of the most prolific passers in league history. Before reaching the NFL, Carr built a collegiate résumé at Fresno State, where he was a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. During his senior season, he led the FBS with 5,083 yards and 50 touchdowns, earning the Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top collegiate passer. Carr finished as one of only 19 quarterbacks in FBS history to throw for more than 10,000 career yards and 100 touchdowns, totaling 12,842 yards and 113 touchdowns. Fresno State retired his number in recognition of his contributions to the program.

Carr was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the NFL Draft with the 36th overall pick. He became the cornerstone of the franchise and holds the record for most passing yards and touchdowns in Raiders history. A four-time Pro Bowler, Carr helped the Raiders reach the playoffs during the 2016 season—the franchise's first appearance since 2002—as well as another postseason berth. In the 2016 campaign, Carr finished third in the NFL MVP vote, and the team went 12-3 while he was under center. Over his career, Carr ranked first in the NFL in completion percentage since entering the league and became the third quarterback in history to pass for 3,000-plus yards in each of his first 10 seasons, joining Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

After nine seasons with the Raiders, Carr joined the New Orleans Saints, where he brought stability to the quarterback position, becoming the club's first signal-caller to open every contest since 2017. In 27 games with New Orleans, Carr completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 6,023 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. His time with the Saints ended due to injury, as medical scans determined he had sustained a labral tear and significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. Faced with a surgery that offered no guarantee of a full return to form, Carr chose to retire, forgoing $30 million. He ended his career with 257 regular-season touchdown passes and 41,245 passing yards while completing 65.1 percent of his throws.

In retirement, Carr has contributed to football as a special adviser to UCLA head coach Bob Chesney, assisting the Bruins' offensive staff with game-planning strategy and working with UCLA's quarterbacks in a volunteer role. Carr has also launched a YouTube channel with his brother, NFL Network analyst David Carr, maintaining his connection to the sport and its community. Carr's experience in quarterback development, offensive strategy, and professional football analysis continues to influence the game beyond his playing career.