Eh. They had options. With something as crazy as the Saints Row franchise they dissolve basically done anything.
For example, have the Saints go back in time to prevent the destruction of Earth, overshoot and end up preventing their own founding. The test of the game consists of them trying to prevent themselves from being erased from existence a la Back to the Future.
Or, if you want to dial back the craziness, declare the plot of IV to be a movie the Saints produced, which flopped and somehow ended up bankrupting Ultor.
They had options.
I mean, they're trying. Not very successfully as of late but they are.