why did steve carell leave the office

Steve Carell left "The Office" primarily because he felt it was the right time for both himself and the show. He wanted to honor his contract, which lasted seven seasons, and decided to move on to other opportunities while also wanting to spend more time with his family. Additionally, Carell believed that his character Michael Scott needed to leave to allow other characters on the show to step into the spotlight and for new storylines to emerge. The departure was emotional for him but was a decision about both personal growth and the evolution of the show. There was also an element of miscommunication with NBC about contract renewal, which played a role in his leaving, but Carell himself has emphasized the joy and readiness he felt in leaving the show to let the ensemble shine and to pursue other endeavors.