New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 seasons.
Carr had been dealing with a shoulder injury that would require surgery and put his 2025 season in doubt. According to the Saints, Carr discovered the injury in late March during his first big throwing session since he suffered a left-hand injury back in early December.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen spent several years with Carr, between the Las Vegas Raiders and Saints. Allen was the Raiders head coach in Carr’s rookie season in 2014, before Allen was fired at the end of the season. But Allen, who was promoted to interim head coach and later retained as head coach for the Saints, orchestrated a reunion in New Orleans as the Saints signed Carr to a four-year, $150 million deal. Allen was fired after Week 9 of the 2024 season.
Allen shared his reaction to Carr’s retirement, where he reflected on working with the former second-round pick.
“I mean, what a great individual,” Allen said Saturday. “I was there when we drafted him in Oakland, had a chance to coach him again as he matured there in New Orleans. I love Derek Carr. I haven’t spoken to him. Just saw that right before we walked onto the practice field today. He did a lot of good things and he was always somebody that was pleasant to be around in the building.”
As Carr embarks on life after football, Allen is starting a new chapter in Chicago as he takes over as defensive coordinator under head coach Ben Johnson. Not only is Allen looking to bring an aggressive mindset to this Bears defense, but he’ll be a sounding board for the first-time head coach.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Dennis Allen reacts to Derek Carr’s retirement