After a shocking 2-0 start, the New Orleans Saints have lost seven consecutive games. During this losing streak, New Orleans has been outscored 200-116 (-84).
Amid the team’s struggles, former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas called out quarterback Derek Carr in a series of social media posts on X (formerly Twitter). After the Saints’ Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Carr responded to his former teammate.
Michael Thomas Criticizes Derek Carr, Says ‘He Is A**’
During the first quarter against Carolina, Saints star wide receiver Chris Olave suffered a concussion after a huge hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods, who was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty on the play. It was a scary scene, and Olave was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital.
Thomas unleashed a string of posts criticizing his former quarterback, seemingly blaming Carr for putting his star receiver in danger with the pass.
After calling out Carr by name, Thomas continued his rant by saying that the veteran QB panics and just throws the ball up, adding, “Get him the f out of here, he so ass.”
Dude scary and panic and just throw the ball. Get him the f out of here he so ass.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 3, 2024
Then, Thomas peeled back the curtain on some internal drama from his stint with the Saints. It seems he and Carr butted heads last year (which Carr later confirmed as well).
Thomas said that Carr “tried to lie and say I was jealous about them making [Olave] WR1.” Then, he said the veteran quarterback “can’t even get [Olave] a decent ball,” and added that Carr needs “his ass whooped.”
Dude tried to lie and say I was jealous of them making Chris WR1 whole time he can’t even get him a decent ball. He need his ass whooped
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 3, 2024
Perhaps the most shocking part of this whole rant is that Olave’s brother, Josh, actually quote-tweeted Thomas and seemed to co-sign the message that Carr “can’t even get [Olave] a decent ball” and that he needs “his ass whooped.”
Later, when a fan said it might be time for Olave to have the “Is it worth it” talk, Josh responded: “Ain’t worth it in Nola, I’ll tell you that”
— Josh Olave (@josh_olave) November 3, 2024
Thomas wasn’t done, though.
In his next tweet, he mentioned that numerous coaches have been fired in an effort “to cover his flaws,” but Carr is “still doing the same shit.”
They fired all them coaches trying to cover his flaws up he still doing the same shit.
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 3, 2024
Finally, Thomas mentioned Carr’s stats from his final season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. He pointed out that, while Davante Adams was named a first-team All-Pro, he needed a career-high 180 targets just to total 100 receptions, adding that Carr “is ass.”
That season, Carr was named to the Pro Bowl after throwing for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on a 60.8% completion percentage.
That year his buddy went 1st team all pro in 2022 he needed 180 targets just to catch 100 passes. He is ass
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 3, 2024
While that was Thomas’ final post, he continued retweeting anti-Carr posts throughout the afternoon, including two posts that blamed Carr for Olave’s concussion.
One stated that “Carr deserves to be fined for throwing that hospital ball to Olave” and added that “he is 100% responsible for Olave being knocked out.”
Thomas also retweeted a post about how Carr is “the first QB in NFL history to lose to 31 different teams” — a true stat.
Carr Responds to Thomas’ Criticism
After the Saints’ awful 23-22 loss to the Panthers, Carr was asked about Thomas’ criticism.
“I have love for Mike,” Carr said. “When he does that, I don’t really care for it, obviously. I’ve had so many teammates over the years, and he’s like the one dude who didn’t get along with me. I don’t know what I did to him; I don’t know why he feels that way. I’m sorry for whatever he’s dealing with to make him feel like he’s gotta do that. I don’t know.
“But he’s never called me during any of this. My phone number has never changed. I’ve, in fact, called him on different occasions just to try [to work it out]. Sometimes, you can try as hard as you want and it just doesn’t work out, and that’s OK. I don’t know why he feels any type of way.
“I didn’t see it. I won’t see it. I try to ignore everything — good and bad. It’s unfortunate, especially coming from a player like that. But I wish him the best. I hope he gets on a team and does what he wants to do and loves it.”
Derek Carr weighs in on Michael Thomas’ tweets: “I have love for Mike. And when he does that, I don't really care for it, obviously.”
(Via @NFLonFOX) pic.twitter.com/B2BAcvbUD1
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 3, 2024
It sounds like Thomas took it personally when Carr described Thomas as jealous of Olave, but perhaps there were more issues behind the scenes as well. But, according to Carr, he’s not even sure why Thomas is so upset with him.
This season, Carr has started six games and thrown for 1,225 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding 22 rushing yards and one score on the ground. Carr is 108-of-159 for a 67.9% completion percentage.
In March 2023, the Saints signed Carr to a four-year deal worth $150 million, including $100 million in total guarantees. Meanwhile, Thomas is currently a free agent.