Derek Carr loves the Saints organization so far, but it was clear he has meant something with his words in regards to the Raiders.
Derek Carr has found himself a new home with the New Orleans Saints. And of course, he has a lot of love for the team he'll be playing football with in 2023 and beyond. After all, they went out of their way to court him before he even hit free agency and make him feel wanted.
Though Carr still has to prove the signing and high level of interest was smart for the Saints, so far, he's a loved character in New Orleans. The Saints have seen Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Andy Dalton, and Trevor Siemian start games in the years since Drew Brees's retirement, so Carr is a welcomed change.
The love is mutual. So far, Carr loves New Orleans and the Saints organization. But the expression of that is not without implicit digs at what he experienced while with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Derek Carr sends shots at Raiders organization with love for Saints
Though Carr tried to keep it diplomatic, it's hard not to compare his experience in New Orleans to that in Las Vegas. To start, he said he's happy to be in a, "stable," organization.
"I'm happy to be somewhere where we're in a stable organization that's been proven for years," Carr told the Fresno Bee's Anthony Galaviz on Saturday, "and I hope that the Raiders find something good there too, where they can keep that stability for the next guys because I know how important it is and I care about my old teammates. But for the time being, I'm just excited to be a part of the Saints organization because they've won at a high level for a long time." (H/T NFL.com)
That's a clear shot at Vegas, but honestly, is implying the Raiders have been unstable really anything but factual? A quick summary of what the organization went through as of late:
- Move from Oakland to Vegas in 2020
- Henry Ruggs drove under the influence in car accident that killed a woman, cut from team
- Jon Gruden leaked emails including racist and misogynistic statements lead to his firing
All of that happened in the span of fewer than five years.
Add to that some personal turmoil as well, as Carr was benched by the organization in his last year to close the season.
So, yeah, makes sense that he's enjoying being liked for once, and not having to deal with crazy off-field nonsense in New Orleans.
The expectation is for the Saints to win the NFC South, so he has his work cut out for him.