When asked if he was troubled by the New Orleans Saints’ low expectations in 2024, quarterback Derek Carr shook his head.
“No, no. Carr remarked, “I’ve been on teams where that was the case, and those were our best teams.” “Then you come in, play good football, and attempt to string together good days. That’s what makes this game so exciting: you always have another opportunity. Not every time, but this bunch of men will have another chance to drop that ball and say, ‘This is what Saints football is all about this year.'”
Carr, speaking to media after the Saints’ first OTA practice on Tuesday, sounded as optimistic as he did a year ago, only months after signing a four-year, $150 million contract in free agency. Since then, New Orleans has ended 9-8 and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Carr believes the team’s cohesiveness, which began at the end of last season, will carry over into 2024, and that the effort everyone has done this offseason is already yielding great benefits.
“We’re so far ahead of where we were last year, just as a team, just as a group of guys,” he stated.
Ahead of Carr’s first season as a Saint, he and the squad were enthusiastic about the prospects; he and wide receiver Michael Thomas enthused about each other and the offense’s abilities. The 2023 season had some highlights, including decisive victories over the New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, the lows included three losses in which Carr was injured, public spats with teammates, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction among the fans, who sold their tickets and booed the offence at home games. Thomas, now a free agent, publicly blasted Carr on social media.
“Last year, we were really excited. “Everyone was so excited, but we didn’t show why until it was too late,” Carr explained. “So for us, you’re humbled a little. That is unconscionable given what we have in that room.
Carr played some of his greatest football in the season’s final two games, completing 76.6% of his throws for six touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 131.3 quarterback rating. He stated that he wants to get out to a faster start than last year, and the club will have the opportunity to do so when the season begins against the Carolina Panthers on September 8, little over three months away.
That momentum from last season, however, can only go so far, as Carr will begin this season working with his fourth offensive coordinator in four years, dating back to his last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mickey Loomis, the Saints’ general manager, does not believe that will be an issue.
“The coaches are distinct, but there is a lot of overlap between all of these methods. There are several things Derek is familiar with,” Loomis added. “He is not a new player; he is a veteran who has played in a variety of offences over the years. He’ll adjust fast, I’m convinced, and he’ll feel more at ease with his teammates than he did last year.
Carr placed a positive spin on the numerous coaching changes he has made over the years, claiming that it puts all of the players on an equal playing field while they learn something new.
“The cool part about this time is that we’re all learning together, and there’s something about going through it together,” Carr stated. “Last year, I was the guy who learned everything new. I’m attempting to catch up as everyone else helps me. The nice thing about this is that we are all beginning afresh. I feel more of that leadership and guiding position now.”
Carr has spent a lot of time with quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, working out how to get everyone on the same page in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offence.
“I believe it’s been very excellent. There’s a lot of carryover from things he’s done throughout his career, as well as some new things we’ve asked him to do that he’s really embraced,” Janocko said.
They have also spent some time getting back to basics.
“It’s just as far as getting back to training his feet in the way that we like within our offence … training his progressions, understanding our nomenclature, the way we’re going to call plays … call motions,” Janocko stated. “It’s just a continuous effort to get everybody together.”
Carr acknowledged that the upbeat language will mean little unless the Saints establish themselves in September. However, he stated that based on the effort he has seen thus far, things have “felt right.”
“We’re just trying to do more so that when we get back out there on the field, we can make our fans proud and they can be proud of the football they see on tape,” Carr stated. “Because last year it wasn’t good enough. We’ve been extremely focused on doing more now, not talking about it, so that when we return from training camp, we can make our fans proud with the image of football they see.”
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