Steelers Emerge as Potential Trade Destination for Saints Veteran QB

Pittsburgh could look to Carr as a veteran option if Aaron Rodgers retires.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The New Orleans Saints are in need of a quarterback after losing Derek Carr to retirement and struggling with Spencer Rattler. There are rumors that Carr may want to come out of retirement, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a potential landing spot for him if veteran QB Aaron Rodgers decides to retire.

Why it matters

The Steelers are looking to win now under new head coach Mike McCarthy, and adding an experienced quarterback like Carr could help them bridge the gap until they find their long-term solution at the position. This move would make sense if the money and draft capital work out for both teams.

The details

The Saints lost Derek Carr to a sudden retirement last offseason and ended up replacing him with rookie Tyler Shough after Spencer Rattler's time as the starter didn't go as planned. There are now rumblings that Carr might want to come out of retirement if he can find the right situation, and the Steelers could be a potential trade partner. The Steelers are waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will return for another season, but if he decides to retire, Carr could be a realistic option to efficiently run Mike McCarthy's offense.

  • The Saints lost Derek Carr to retirement last offseason.
  • The Steelers are waiting on Aaron Rodgers to decide if he will return for another season.

The players

Derek Carr

The former Saints quarterback who retired unexpectedly last offseason.

Tyler Shough

The rookie quarterback who replaced Carr as the Saints' starter.

Spencer Rattler

The quarterback whose time as the Saints' starter didn't go as planned.

Aaron Rodgers

The veteran quarterback the Steelers are waiting on to decide if he will return for another season.

Mike McCarthy

The Steelers' new head coach, who has shown he can work well with veteran quarterbacks.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers are obviously waiting on Aaron Rodgers, but at 42 years old, there's certainly a chance that Rodgers will decide to retire instead of returning for another season. If that happens, then Pittsburgh will be in quite the quandary at quarterback. The Steelers do have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, but you have to think Mike McCarthy would me more comfortable with a smart veteran quarterback who could efficiently run his offense and that's where Carr would come in.”

— John Breech, CBS Sports Writer (CBS Sports)

What’s next

If Aaron Rodgers decides to retire, the Steelers will need to find a new starting quarterback. Carr could be a realistic option for them if the money and draft capital in a trade work out for both the Steelers and Saints.

The takeaway

This potential trade would allow the Steelers to add an experienced veteran quarterback to their roster if they lose Aaron Rodgers, while also giving the Saints a chance to move on from Carr's contract and find a long-term solution at the position.