Derek Carr is mulling a return from retirement and could instantly become one of the best veteran options at the QB position in a starved free agent and trade market this offseason. With the Pittsburgh Steelers potentially in need, NFL.com’s Nick Shook sees a logical pairing.
“The Steelers have made a habit of enlisting mercenary veterans to fill their void under center over the last two seasons and will likely be in the market for another in 2026. Pittsburgh lacks a young candidate at the position and maintains an expectation to contend immediately,” Shook wrote on NFL.com. “There are questions to answer, though, starting with how Carr might align with new head coach Mike McCarthy. On paper, the rest of the situation should entice Carr, including the presence of DK Metcalf and the possibility that Carr could make it a multi-season home if things go well. This seems like an ideal pairing for a quarterback considering unretiring.”
Because Carr retired while under contract, the New Orleans Saints still hold his rights. The Steelers would need to trade at least some draft capital to make it happen. The Saints have moved on, but they could still try to push for a fourth- or fifth-round pick in return. The Steelers are projected to have 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. It wouldn’t set them back much to make this type of trade.
Carr signed a four-year, $150 million contract in 2023 and then played just two of those seasons. His contract contains a no-trade clause, and he could decide to remain retired, so he has the power to give a thumbs up or down to any potential suitors. They Saints also restructured his contract last offseason just a couple months before he retired.
According to Pro Football Talk, his 2026 base salary is $50 million with zero guarantees. That’s entirely too high for a nearly 35-year-old quarterback who medically retired due to a shoulder injury. Carr’s last game came on Dec. 8, 2024. And his final season with the Saints wasn’t his best work. He would need to agree to tear up his contract and sign a new one with the Steelers for much less money.
Carr had over 4,000 passing yards in four straight seasons from 2018-2021 and had a decent first season with the Saints in 2023. He was always a talented player stuck on bad Raiders and Saints teams. But betting on him rounding back into form after his injury and subsequent retirement is a long shot.
With all indications that Aaron Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh for one more year, hopefully this is nothing more than a blip on the radar of the offseason QB carousel.
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