Derek Carr is giving the Saints a bit of a reality check before he returns in Week 9

The New Orleans Saints are 2-6 entering Week 9, and they’re a couple of losses away from their playoff hopes vanishing. Losing six straight games, the Saints have been able to keep a sense of hope because they played their last three games without their starting quarterback and several other key players.

In Week 8, New Orleans welcomed some of those key players back, and in Week 9, the team is planning to finally have Derek Carr back under center. With all of these important players returning to the lineup, mainly Carr, the Saints believe they can turn the season around in the second half of the year.

Whike the entire team is on board with that mission, Carr wants to make one thing clear before he steps back on the field: he’s not a savior. When asked about the pressure of returning to save a struggling team, during his Wednesday press conference, the veteran QB made it clear that he won’t be doing any saving. Instead, he’ll be leading his team and playing to the best of his ability.

Derek Carr makes it clear he isn’t the Saints savior

While Carr was speaking to his faith when he talked about there only being one true savior, his response also captured the full reality of New Orleans’ situation. Carr returning to the lineup isn’t going to save the season alone.

It’s been a convenient excuse for New Orleans to say it’s been without its quarterback, but the team has had issues far bigger than just the quarterback position. Carr being back will certainly make a difference, but the defense also has to consistently play better, the team has to limit penalties, and coaching has to be better.

There are a lot of issues plaguing this 2-6 team, so it’s going to take a lot of people to come together and save the season. Derek Carr will only be part of the solution.

READ MORE