It’s been a rocky start for quarterback Derek Carr in New Orleans, which includes the four-time Pro Bowler blowing up on the sidelines at offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael during the 20-13 loss to the Texans in Week 6.
“I apologized to Pete actually on the airplane,” Carr said Monday, per ESPN. “I was talking to Pete, but I wasn’t talking about Pete. Pete and I know exactly what I was talking about and why.”
Carr got into a heated exchange in the fourth quarter where he pulled off his helmet and gestured toward the end zone as Carmichael walked away, listening to Carr’s screams.
The Saints quarterback said he was “livid” after the game, which featured the Saints struggling in the red zone.
They did not score a touchdown in the red zone despite three opportunities, and finished with just 13 points despite amassing 430 total yards.
Carr threw a late interception while driving for a game-tying touchdown to close out the loss, and now has five touchdown passes to three interceptions on the season.
“When the game’s on the line, that’s when you have to be on every detail of your assignment. And I was a little upset at some of those things,” Carr said. “It had nothing to do with Pete, he just happened to be the one that walked up when I was a little angry.
“Until we get on the same page, there’s going to be sucky feelings.”
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE
New Orleans has had an uneven start to the 2023 season, going 3-3 with its only complete performance coming against the 1-5 New England Patriots.
The Saints are seventh-worst in the NFL in yards per play, and have mostly been carried by their defense.
They are waiting on the offense to pick up the slack, which is surprising considering some of the offensive talent the team has in Carr, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave.
Kamara’s recent return hasn’t boosted the offensive production, although their goal-line back, Jamaal Williams, is slated to return in the near future as his team opened his practice window to return from IR.
