He played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs and was selected first overall by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL draft.

With the Giants, Carr was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots.

In his senior season the team beat Colorado, Oregon State, and Wisconsin, all members of BCS conferences.

[8] During his collegiate career, Carr completed 565 of 901 passes for 7,849 yards and threw 65 touchdowns versus 22 interceptions.

[9] During his senior year, he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was a finalist for the 2001 Heisman Trophy, finishing fifth.

With the first overall pick of the 2002 NFL draft, the Houston Texans, a new expansion team, selected Carr.

The Texans played their first regular season game on September 8, 2002, defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 19–10, at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

[21] Plagued by injuries and an ineffective offensive line that limited both the running and passing games, Carr still threw for 2,488 yards while being sacked a league-leading 68 times.

Thus, the Texans acquired Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons and decided to release Carr, making him a free agent for the first time of his career.

[23] Carr agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers on April 6, 2007, signing a two-year, $6.2 million contract.

[28] On March 12, 2008, Carr signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants, reuniting with former Houston offensive coordinator Chris Palmer.

[32] On March 7, 2010, Carr agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers; he served as a backup to Alex Smith.

[33] Carr was put into the 49ers Week 7 game against his former team the Carolina Panthers after Smith suffered a shoulder injury.

[34] Carr struggled completing only 5 of 13 passes for 67 yards and throwing a crucial interception late in the 4th quarter.

His uncle Lon Boyett played in the NFL as a tight end with the Buccaneers, Raiders and 49ers from 1977 to 1978.