Derek Carr’s first season in New Orleans last year wasn’t a smooth ride.
The quarterback dealt with injuries, had some rocky moments with teammates early, and didn’t find a stride until the final five weeks of the season. By then, it was too late to turn around the campaign.
The Saints went 9-8, missing the postseason for the third consecutive season and the second straight under coach Dennis Allen.
Joining Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio on Thursday, Carr said he felt that they found some consistency once the team created a bond and a rapport. Despite installing a new offensive scheme this offseason, Carr added that he feels like the unit is much further ahead than in 2023.
“The cool thing with our team is that we kept growing through a lot of different adversities,” Carr said. “We kept sticking together. We kept trying to build that unity and that trust and that bond. I thought it was going to come together a lot sooner -- we all probably thought it was going to come together sooner than it did for us. But the truth is, it finally did click. We got a lot closer. We got more unified, and we actually played better toward the end of the year, myself included. There are growing pains, and it does take time sometimes. Even though we live in a world where we want everything right now -- and we were right there with ya. We ended up winning nine games, which for us wasn’t good enough. And for our organization isn’t acceptable.
“So coming into this year, we’re just trying to build off of what we had last year. The relationships. The bonds, the unity, the time we spend together. I felt like coming into this offseason, compared to last offseason, we’re 10 times further ahead of where we were. And I mean that as a team, as a group, as a unit. The bonds that we have. It’s the ultimate team sport, and that’s the most important thing, the team. So we’re stepping into this year trying to build off how last year ended.”
The Saints offense has reportedly experienced ups and downs during camp as it works within new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme. The unit struggled to find consistency in the preseason opener last weekend against the Cardinals.
Carr finding chemistry with receivers Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and A.T. Perry early in the season will go a long way to helping the Saints get off to a good start after last year’s slow-go.
The bigger question is along the offensive line, where former first-rounder Trevor Penning has struggled at right tackle, and rookie left tackle Taliese Fuaga is now dealing with a back issue. Carr was battered last season, and though he didn’t miss a game, it affected his play. If the O-line is once again an issue, it won’t matter how improved the chemistry and bonds are -- the offense will still struggle to generate points.