On this episode of Saturday vs Sunday, John Barban and Geoff Dover reunite to break down the surprising retirement of Derek Carr — a quarterback whose career numbers tell one story, but whose lack of playoff success tells another. After 11 seasons, over 35,000 passing yards, four 4,000-yard campaigns, and a TD-to-INT ratio most franchises would kill for, Carr hangs up his cleats — not because of age, but because his body finally said “enough.”Barban and Dover open with a career-spanning review of Carr’s injuries, going all the way back to his rookie season. From sprained fingers and fractured backs to multiple concussions and a degenerative rotator cuff, Carr’s medical history is a case study in what NFL quarterbacks silently endure. Dover, with a PhD in athletic training, unpacks the biomechanics of Carr’s final shoulder injury and explains why it was a career-ender. As he puts it, “Carr had a 50-year-old shoulder at age 32.”They also dig into the link between concussions and musculoskeletal injuries, providing insight into why Carr’s decline accelerated so quickly in his final two seasons. This isn’t just about one player — it’s about the price of being an NFL quarterback.Then comes the question everyone is asking: Why retire now and leave $30 million on the table? Barban and Dover explain that Carr would have needed to commit to a full-year rehab just to collect, and with over $200 million already banked, the smarter play was to prioritize long-term health.The episode then shifts to the New Orleans Saints’ now-dire quarterback room, featuring names like Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener. With Carr gone, are the Saints quietly entering the Arch Manning sweepstakes? And if so, are other teams doing the same? The guys speculate about which teams might “accidentally” tank in 2025 to land the next Manning.Finally, Barban and Dover reflect on Carr’s legacy: Was he a disappointment? A success? Or simply a good quarterback stuck on bad teams? With only one playoff appearance and a losing career record, Carr might look average on paper — but his consistency, toughness, and numbers suggest otherwise.It’s a candid, data-driven, and often humorous look at the hidden grind of an NFL career — and what happens when even the toughest guys finally say, “I’m done.”
