Ever since Kellen Moore was announced as the Saints’ head coach, he has been noncommittal to Derek Carr’s status in NOLA. Earlier in February, Moore kept dodging questions related to Carr’s QB1 status in New Orleans. He stuck to describing Carr as a tremendous QB who deserves to start in the NFL. However, whenever it came to his full commitment, Moore never really acknowledged Carr as his team’s leader. Now, with Carr retired for good after a tragic injury, the fans seem to have exploded in anger against their new head coach.

Within a month of Moore’s arrival in the Big Easy, Carr’s $150M contract was restructured for salary cap space. His $30M base salary and $10M roster bonus were converted into a signing bonus. But not long after his contract restructuring, Derek suddenly experienced pain in his throwing shoulder. This prompted him to immediately contact the Saints’ medical team. After multiple medical scans, Derek found out that he had suffered a labral tear with significant damage to his rotator cuff.

This left Carr with no other option but surgery. However, going under the knife meant Carr was jeopardizing his whole 2025 season. And there was also no guarantee of his coming back to the level he performed at. So, after heavy contemplation and some heart-to-heart discussion with his wife, Heather, Derek chose retirement. On his final statement, he wrote, “Upon reflection of prayer, and in discussion with Heather. I’ve decided to retire from the National Football League.”

His sudden retirement from the NFL means the Saints are left with unproven QBs. The Saints‘ second-round pick, Tyler Shough, is probably now the undisputed starter. While Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener will back him. Seeing the absence of a proper NFL QB on the roster, Moore suddenly found himself at the center of attention. Considering the uncertainty surrounding the Saints’ QB room now that Carr won’t be returning. One of their fans blamed Moore for putting them in this situation. Throwing shade at his time with the Eagles, a fan reposted a tweet showcasing the Saints’ unconvincing QB room. “Kellen Moore should’ve just stayed with the Eagles,” an angry Saints fan wrote on X.

Well, this wasn’t the only negative reaction Moore received soon after Derek Carr’s retirement. Fans in the Big Easy didn’t mince their words, holding Moore responsible for everything going wrong in New Orleans.

Kellen Moore sent to the guillotine moments after Derek Carr’s retirement

Moore was already receiving quite the heat after he decided to draft Tyler Shough. Considering Shough only had one good season in his 7-year stay in College, Moore’s decision to pick Shough was heavily scrutinized. Now with Carr gone from the picture, it’s almost inevitable for Shough to start. To be honest, Shough won’t be a bad option for the Saints. However, the question will always be reliability. Will Shough prove to be a viable QB in his first season in the NFL? Well, no matter what happens right now, the Saints Nation is not happy with Moore.

After the news of Carr’s injury came to light, one of their fans took to X to express their disappointment. Referring to Moore’s gamble with the Saints’ QB room, he wrote, “Kellen Moore will be back to being a OC soon lol.” To be honest, Moore was never involved in such decision-making. Whether it’s the Cowboys, Chargers, or Eagles, Moore always had someone ahead of him. But now in New Orleans, his QB decisions are getting flagged by the fans.

“Kellen Moore, this is why you don’t take those type of jobs smh,” a fan wrote moments after Carr’s retirement. Then there was an Eagles fan who believes Moore is now being used as a scapegoat. “Kellen Moore about to be a huge scapegoat. Should’ve stayed with the birds.” Looking at the bigger picture in New Orleans right now. The Saints have found themselves in a precarious situation. They have no other choice but to move forward with whatever is available.