Derek Carr became one of the most fun rivals for LA Chargers fans to root against. That is why it was a bit sad to see him leave the division this offseason and join the New Orleans Saints. However, it is equally as funny that the Raiders replaced Carr with a worse version of him in Jimmy Garoppolo.
Carr now finds himself on the New Orleans Saints in an NFC South division that is nowhere close to as competitive as the AFC West. The AFC West played the NFC South in 2020 and last season the division's extra 17th game was scheduled against the NFC South (with the Chargers playing the Atlanta Falcons).
There are no AFC West-NFC South matchups this year as the AFC West plays the AFC East and NFC North with the NFC East making up the extra 17th opponent (with LA facing the Dallas Cowboys). Unfortunately, this means that Chargers fans won't get the yearly tradition of rooting against Carr.
However, Chargers fans will likely get to at least see Derek Carr up and close before the season begins, as the Saints could be coming to town to partake in joint practices with the Bolts.
Attn: Cali Saints fans....
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) March 21, 2023
Saints expected to conduct joint practices against Chargers in California during training camp https://t.co/I5x7B9uOy2 via @nolanews
Chargers and Saints expected to hold joint practices in 2023
As Jeff Duncan of NOLA. com reports, the Chargers are expected to welcome the Saints for joint practices before the 2023 season. These joint practices are common and the Chargers and Saints have long been two teams that have practiced together in Southern California.
The goal of these practices it to implement some of the schemes and personnel decisions that a team is making for the upcoming season. It is not quite a preseason game but it does allow for starters to get some reps in so fans can at least get an idea of what the upcoming season could look like.
There is typically at least one of these practice sessions that are open to fans, so Chargers fans should have the opportunity to go see Derek Carr throw some interceptions against the Bolts one last time.
Carr is not the only familiar face that could be practicing with the Chargers, though. Swing tackle Storm Norton signed with the Saints this offseason and this would represent a homecoming for the not-so-beloved right tackle.
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If Chargers fans get to see Joey Bosa go up against Storm Norton in a true pass-rushing set then that will be the definition of free entertainment.