The Super Bowl returned to New Orleans this year. It should’ve been a moment of pride for the city and a chance for Saints leadership—on and off the field—to step up and represent. But our quarterback, Derek Carr, was nowhere to be found.
He didn’t appear at community events. He didn’t speak to the media. He didn’t even post a photo or offer a word to acknowledge that the biggest sporting event in the world was happening right here, in the city he plays for. For a fanbase that lives and dies with the Saints, that silence was loud.
It wasn’t always like this.
When Drew Brees was quarterback, you felt his presence. During the last Super Bowl hosted in New Orleans in 2013, Brees was doing more than merely attending events. He was out in the community, hosting youth football camps, lifting up local businesses, and showing what it means to lead a city. He understood that being quarterback of the Saints came with more responsibility than throwing passes. It meant being a part of New Orleans, fully and unapologetically.
Carr doesn’t get it. Or worse, he doesn’t care.
His first season as a Saint was forgettable. He played it safe, avoided risk, and failed to spark any real momentum. But more frustrating than the checkdowns and hesitation is the feeling that he’s not invested. Not in the team. Not in the fans. Not in the city.
And let’s be real—for a quarterback we’re paying $150 million, Carr hasn’t just underperformed on the field. He hasn’t delivered a single playoff appearance or win. But even worse, he’s given the city little respect. New Orleans shows up for its stars. We rally around our leaders. But this time, the guy under center hasn’t returned the favor.
Meanwhile, Jameis Winston—who no longer even plays here—was doing the opposite.
Jameis showed up during Super Bowl week. He greeted fans, supported local events, and carried himself like someone who still felt connected to New Orleans. The city let him go, yet he still carries himself like he owes something to the people here. That’s heart. That’s what we expect from someone who’s worn the Black and Gold.
We aren’t asking for perfection. New Orleans is a city that forgives, that gives second chances, that rides for its own. But you have to meet us halfway. Carr hasn’t done that. He hasn’t shown any desire to embrace what this city stands for or the role he plays in it.
The Saints would take a financial hit by cutting ties with him. But sometimes you take a loss in the short term to stop the bleeding in the long term. You don’t build a team around someone who doesn’t want to be part of the fabric of the city. We’ve seen what that looks like when it’s done right. We had it in Drew Brees. We even glimpsed it in Jameis.
Right now, we don’t have it.
If Derek Carr can’t show up for New Orleans when it matters most, then maybe it’s time the Saints stop showing up for him.
Lol!! Biggest sporting event in the world???
Was the Super Bowl not the biggest sporting event in the world at the time? Subjective, sure. But not far-fetched.
The people of New Orleans need to hold ACCOUNTABLE our leaders regardless of sport, politics or spiritual.
When Winston was here /he was healthy the last couple of games.and Dennis Allen wouldn’t put him in.thar was so disrespectful/it showed me that hurt or healthy.DA wasn’t putting him in/so he left.i don’t know why the Saints went/got David Used tires Carr.he’s done but stay hurt/he was getting his receivers hurt it’s time to Used Carr Tires down the road/cut him loose he’s a bum.