It’s understandable that Derek Carr would commit his due diligence before signing with the New Orleans Saints, but it’s refreshing to hear his side of the story that brought him to the black and gold. Carr joined his nephew Austin’s Harvester Sports Podcast to reflect on the busy weeks he’s experienced as a free agent before landing with the Saints, and one anecdote he shared was some communication with leaders of the team before pens went to paper.
“One thing that’s important to me, is how do y’all feel about it?” Carr recounted in conversations with the Saints’ defensive captains. “Because (the front office and coaches) can want me all they want. But if I walk into that locker room and y’all are like, ‘Man, I don’t know,” just tell me. Tell me exactly what you think. Because I want to walk into a situation where people are excited to have me. I’m going to prove that every day. I get to reinvent myself again, walk into a new spot, and show them my work ethic.”
Jordan was actively recruiting Carr on social media when news broke of the Saints’ interest in the quarterback during free agency, and Davis also lobbied for him while making the media rounds at the Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas. They both threw their support behind him, and now Carr is their quarterback.
Hopefully the Saints can continue to stack talent around him and build a situation everyone can benefit from. But it’s worth noting that both Jordan and Davis are closer to the end of their playing careers than their heyday. Jordan is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 34 this summer. Davis is already at that age and will enter the final year of his own deal next season. It’s important that they’ve both held down leadership positions for New Orleans, but it’s important that the Saints identify successors for both of them in the near future, too. The upcoming 2023 NFL draft will give them ample opportunity.
