Derrick Carr Next for Steelers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their backup plan at quarterback. Kirk Cousins has signed a five-year, $172 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, but it's essentially a one-year, $20 million situation.

The deal leaves the Steelers banking on Aaron Rodgers returning even more than they were. While they're excited about the future of Will Howard, they would like a proven veteran leading their offense in 2026. They believe they have the talent to be contenders, but need a reliable quarterback to reach their full potential, and if it's not Rodgers, they hold that same belief.

That's why they were interested in Cousins. The team called a year ago to check on a trade for him, and why he was on their radar this offseason as a backup plan if Rodgers chooses to retire.

Now, Cousins is off the board, and the Steelers still don't have an answer from Rodgers. The expectation is that Rodgers is returning to Pittsburgh for another season, but nothing is guaranteed until he gives them a real answer. Until then, other options are being discussed by the team, and their next best one may come through a trade.

Steelers Next QB Backup Plan

What about Derek Carr? The 35-year-old has teased a return from retirement, and the New Orleans Saints are working with a new quarterback in Tyler Shough. That probably makes Carr available for a trade, and the Steelers may be the right team to call - or to make a call.

Carr meets all the requirements the Steelers are looking for in a quarterback. He's a proven veteran with 11 years of experience and four Pro Bowls. He's thrown for 257 touchdowns and 112 interceptions and his last full season, he threw for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

If he's healthy, he's a name worth taking a risk on, and brings just as much upside, if not more, than what Cousins would have.

He's probably cheap in a trade as well. Not many teams are still looking for a quarterback, and the Steelers may be able to get him for a Day 3 NFL Draft pick. He carries a $36.67 million cap hit in 2026, but Pittsburgh should be able to make some sort of deal with the Saints to lower that number and split some of the contract.

If that's all possible, the Steelers have one more name on the table to replace Rodgers, if he chooses to retire. And that name may be their best backup plan yet, if he's ready to return to football.