New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr suggested he’d feel differently coming off his club debut had the Saints not defeated the Tennessee Titans 16-15 on Sunday afternoon.
“I mean, it’s really cool — stories are fun,” Carr told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer shortly after the victory. “But it’s only a fun story, as you know, Albert, when you win. And that’s when the stories feel good. And so, hopefully, we can do that because there’s a lot of good stories that people can tell with their platforms at the end of this thing. Hopefully, if we just keep doing what we’re doing. But there is a lot, a lot of emotion, a lot of cool moments for guys today. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Carr featured for the Las Vegas Raiders from 2014 up until he was benched by then-first-year head coach Josh McDaniels this past December. The 32-year-old received his desired release from the Raiders in February and then flirted with joining the New York Jets before he signed a four-year contract in March reportedly worth $150M with $100M in total guarantees to become New Orleans’ QB1.
On Sunday, Carr completed 23 of 33 passes for 305 yards with a touchdown and an interception to help keep the Saints level with the 1-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 1-0 Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South standings. Carr reflected on the past while also looking toward the future on Sunday.
“It was a lot of emotion,” Carr admitted about his feelings after spending nearly a decade of his life with the Raiders. “Wearing a different jersey, wanting to get off on the right foot, get a win, start off right. And we were able to do that, man. Honestly, I was so jacked. I was so excited to be able to do that. But the thing that was important to me was keeping my emotions under control and making sure that I just played the best that I could to help us try and get that win. And I’m glad we did for the city of New Orleans.”
As of late Monday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Saints as the betting favorites to claim the division crown at +120 odds. New Orleans plays at the 0-1 Carolina Panthers next Monday night.