The New Orleans Saints‘ 2023 season didn’t go as they wanted, finishing 9-8 and second in the NFC South. A big reason why was injuries, including one to starting wide receiver Michael Thomas.
However, the play of quarterback Derek Carr was another reason why. According to Thomas, Carr set him up with a bad ball, causing his injury. What exactly did Thomas say?
Michael Thomas Blames Derek Carr for Season Struggles
Thomas, a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, played in just 10 games in 2023. He suffered a knee injury on the Saints’ first drive of Week 10 vs. the Vikings, which caused him to miss the rest of the season. The injury came on a big hit from Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans.
In the 10 games he did play, Thomas caught 39 passes for 448 yards and one touchdown. Thomas has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, having not played a full year since 2019. Additionally, he missed the entire 2021 campaign as a whole.
“Well, if I didn’t get set up by a bad ball, I probably would’ve had a light little 1k yards this year but could of should of I know, I get it lol,” said Thomas on X. The post came as a reply to a fan. “On top of that, they wasn’t even trying to get me the ball, but it’s no denying my style of play it don’t age playa you will see.”
Akayleb Evans hit stick on Michael Thomas forces an incompletion pic.twitter.com/kzh3tTHBaC
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz)
Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Saints. He’s since played in 83 games, catching 565 passes for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns.
He’s been named to three Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro twice, including in 2019.
MORE: New Orleans Saints 2024 Mock Draft
In his 2019 season, he caught 149 passes for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. The 149 receptions set the NFL record for most in a single season. His 1,725 yards also led the league that year.
The 2023 season was Carr’s 10th overall and first with the Saints. He spent the first nine years with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders before being released following the 2022 season.
He later signed with the Saints on a four-year, $150 million contract, reuniting him with Dennis Allen, the head coach of the Raiders in 2014, his rookie season.
In his first year as the Saints quarterback, Carr had an up-and-down campaign. He passed for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Additionally, he had a 68.4% completion rate and a passer rating of 97.7.
Thomas signed a one-year deal worth $10 million guaranteed. This means he is under contract for 2024 but is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, when he will be 32 years old. It seems less and less likely he will return to the Saints following 2024, as they have young, promising talent in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!