The New Orleans Saints are facing off against the 1-11 Carolina Panthers on Sunday, a game that most would assume to be a pretty worry-free game for the Saints. However, the Saints had their fair share of adversity in the game, including a heated interaction between starting quarterback Derek Carr and starting center Erik McCoy.
Carr and the Saints were in a very close game midway through the third quarter, leading by only one score. After a Panthers field goal to make it an eight-point game, the Saints went three and out after Carr took a sack on third down.
As the Saints began to walk off the field on fourth down, Erik McCoy got into the face of Derek Carr, seemingly screaming at him for taking the sack.
#Saints C Erik McCoy getting heated after a Derek Carr sack…https://t.co/Oq5q5vXxpF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 10, 2023
McCoy had to be held back by teammates as he continued to berate Carr for the play. And unfortunately, things spilled over onto the sidelines as the Panthers’ offense took the field after the fourth down punt.
According to Jeff Duncan of Nola.com, McCoy was still irate on the bench, and had to be calmed down by teammates Alvin Kamara and Lynn Bowden.
Erik McCoy and Derek Carr were going at it after that last sack by the Panther. Teammates had to separate them. McCoy fired his helmet into the turf when he reached the bench. Alvin Kamara and Lynn Bowden had to try to calm him down on the bench.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) December 10, 2023
It’s pretty rare that you will ever see an offensive lineman go after a starting quarterback like this. Especially a veteran quarterback who has years of experience under his belt like Derek Carr.
Fans had plenty to say about the interaction on social media shortly after it happened.
Erik McCoy is all of us. #Saints pic.twitter.com/JBvofVkT1D
— TJAY Jones (@tjayjones8) December 10, 2023
Woah: #Saints QB Derek Carr and OL Erik McCoy going at it…not good.
McCoy is screaming at Derek Carr.
pic.twitter.com/H5n2nFfzRJ— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 10, 2023
Erik McCoy and Derek Carr going at it after the most recent sack.
The #Saints offense looks TOTALLY BROKEN!
NOLA GM Mickey Loomis empowers his people…
Sean Payton was empowered, signed Drew Brees:
HistoryDennis Allen empowered, signed Derek Carr:
$150 million mistake? pic.twitter.com/C8g6gB7Fd8— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) December 10, 2023
Oh boy.. the #Saints players are really fed up with QB Derek Carr.
Look at OL Erik McCoy… pic.twitter.com/cBmNYwW5qShttps://t.co/l9RGll5xlj
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 10, 2023
Noticing during that exchange between Derek Carr and Erik McCoy that a few players went over to McCoy to calm him down including Alvin Kamara and Lynn Bowden, no one was around Carr
— Ricardo LeCompte (@RLeCompteTV) December 10, 2023
This is obviously a pretty concerning development for the Saints which could hint at a fracture in the locker room for the team.
Luckily, they were able to get control of this game against the Panthers. They would cruise to a 28-6 victory over Carolina after scoring 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
More importantly, they are now tied for the division lead in the NFC South after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Buccaneers stop the Falcons on the game's final play after Desmond Ridder throws it short of the goal line. There is now a three-way tie for the NFC South lead. pic.twitter.com/rXayv3yO3g
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 10, 2023
That being said, the Saints will need to maintain their team chemistry if they are going to take control of the NFC South down the stretch of this season.
