NFL Exec Calls Out Derek Carr: Saints QB Held Back by 'a Lack of Toughness' in Pocket

As New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr looks to make the jump to the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks in his 11th season, one executive pointed out a key factor that could be keeping him from doing so.

"What holds (Carr) back is a lack of toughness in the pocket, and some of his decision making within the scheme," an NFL executive said, per The Athletic's Mike Sando.

Sando and The Athletic polled 50 coaches and executives ahead of the season to make a tier list of NFL quarterbacks, and Carr was placed in the third tier and ranked 20th, tied with Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith.

Sando noted that his ranking is tied for his worst since 2015, which isn't that surprising given how his first season in New Orleans went. Carr had 3,878 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions, leading the Saints to a 9-8 finish and missing the postseason.

Since coming into the league in 2014, Carr has been to the playoffs just twice and has never made it past the wild-card round.

New Orleans has a playoff-caliber defense heading into the 2024 season, but it's up to Carr to help revitalize the offense to become a contender. If he listens to the criticism from the exec and develops more toughness in the pocket, he could finally find the success he's been looking for.