‘It’s Unfortunate’ – Tensions Rise Between Derek Carr and Former Teammate Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas, the outspoken former New Orleans Saints wide receiver, has been very vocal about his disappointment with ex-teammate and current Saints quarterback Derek Carr. Following a recent game against the Carolina Panthers, where Carr’s high pass led to a hard hit on Chris Olave—who was later taken to the hospital for a concussion evaluation—Thomas took to social media to air his frustrations with Carr’s performance.

The Incident with Chris Olave

The Saints-Panthers game took a scary turn when Carr’s high pass left Olave vulnerable to a brutal hit. Olave was rushed to a local hospital to be evaluated for a possible concussion, heightening concerns for his health. Thankfully, Saints PR soon released a statement confirming that Olave had been discharged and would be returning to New Orleans with the team that night. While the incident was unfortunate, it sparked a much larger discussion surrounding Carr’s performance and his leadership as the Saints’ starting quarterback.

Thomas’s Public Critique

The incident prompted Thomas to lash out at Carr on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). His harsh critique made it clear that he holds Carr responsible for not only the failed pass to Olave but also for what he sees as overall subpar performance. Thomas posted several inflammatory remarks, claiming that Carr “scary and panic” and “just throw[s] the ball.” He went further, calling for Carr to be replaced and alleging that the quarterback’s inadequacies have been the Saints’ downfall this season. Thomas even referenced Carr’s previous stats with his former teammate, star receiver Davante Adams, suggesting Carr only achieved success through excessive attempts.

According to Thomas, the blame for the Saints’ offensive struggles lies directly on Carr’s shoulders. He criticized the team’s coaching decisions as well, asserting that the staff was covering for Carr’s shortcomings. “They fired all them coaches trying to cover his flaws up, he still doing the same stuff,” he said, expressing frustration at the Saints’ ongoing decline.

Carr’s Response to the Rift

In response to Thomas’s criticisms, Carr expressed his bewilderment over the animosity. He said he was uncertain about the source of Thomas’s anger, claiming they never had any significant disagreements during their time as teammates. “I’ve had so many teammates over the years and he’s like the one dude that didn’t get along with me,” Carr said, sounding genuinely puzzled. Despite the tensions, Carr maintained he had tried to reach out to Thomas multiple times, calling him and attempting to smooth things over, but to no avail. Carr admitted, “Sometimes you can try as hard as you want, and it just doesn’t work out. And that’s OK.”

Carr, now in his second season with New Orleans, came to the Saints in free agency. Unfortunately, his tenure has been rocky, marred by injuries and inconsistent play. Although Carr has previously dealt with an oblique injury, his recent performances haven’t met expectations, and the Saints’ early-season momentum has come to a screeching halt. After starting 2-0 with one of the league’s top-performing offenses, the team has now lost seven consecutive games, including a close 23-22 loss to the Panthers.

The Saints’ Struggles and Locker Room Tension

Thomas’s sentiments toward Carr might resonate with other players in the Saints’ locker room, as the team’s offense has struggled to regain its early-season form. The team’s rapid decline has led to questions about leadership, coaching, and player performance. While Thomas is no longer on the roster, his outspoken criticism sheds light on the frustrations felt by those who believe the team could be performing better.

Carr, however, is choosing to look forward, acknowledging the challenges but expressing a wish for Thomas’s success moving forward. “It’s unfortunate. Especially coming from a player like that,” he said, but added, “I wish him the best. I hope he gets on a team and does what he wants to do and loves it.”

The saga leaves the Saints with unresolved questions as they push through a challenging season. Whether Carr can turn things around and earn the confidence of his team—and fans—is yet to be seen. One thing is clear, though: Michael Thomas has no love lost for his former quarterback.