Quarterback unretiring rumor should be of interest to Steelers, Vikings and Falcons image
In what is not a great quarterback market this offseason, a new, intriguing option could be hitting the trade block soon.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, teams around the NFL think that retired former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr is "very serious about unretiring and returning to the NFL in 2026."
Schultz notes that the Saints still own Carr's rights, so he would have to be traded, but New Orleans will have no issue unloading the veteran signal-caller with Tyler Shough being the future of the franchise under center.
This isn't the first time we've heard Carr is thinking about coming back. In fact, he has openly said he is considering it, although he won't just come back for any team and is seeking an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.
"Would I do it. Absolutely, I would. I told you two things: I have to be healthy, and I'd want a chance to win a Super Bowl. And obviously, that's a tough thing to find. That's hard to do. That's not easy," Carr said.
When it comes to true Super Bowl contenders in 2026, there aren't any that need a quarterback. The closest is the Kansas City Chiefs, but their need may only be temporary if Patrick Mahomes isn't ready for Week 1.
However, there are playoff contenders that could become Super Bowl contenders if Carr elevates the offense. Three teams that come to mind are the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings.
The Falcons are set to release Kirk Cousins and that will leave them with Michael Penix Jr., who the jury is still out on after a disappointing first season as a starter. With a new regime in town, Atlanta replacing Penix isn't out of the question.
The Steelers are waiting on an answer from Aaron Rodgers, and it he doesn't return in 2026, it's almost a lock that Pittsburgh will want a veteran replacement to add to a quarterbacks room that currently includes Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.
We believe the Vikings are the closest thing to a Super Bowl contender that needs a quarterback.
Minnesota won a whopping 14 games with high-level quarterback play from Sam Darnold in 2024, and the Vikings followed that up with a 9-8 season despite some of the worst quarterback play in the NFL from J.J. McCarthy.
If we had to put our money on Carr's next home, it would be the Vikings.
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