The Pittsburgh Steelers once again enter the offseason with a question at quarterback. While there has been much noise about Aaron Rodgers’ return, there’s no guarantee that the four-time MVP will re-sign. He could decide to retire instead. That could force them to look at different options. One potential solution is former NFL quarterback Derek Carr. Carr retired last year, but he recently outlined the two conditions that would make him return to the NFL.
“Would I do it?” Carr said Thursday on his Home Grown podcast. “Yes. Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not… I told you two things: I’d have to be healthy, and I would want a chance to win a Super Bowl. Obviously, that’s a tough thing to find. That’s hard to do. That’s not easy.”
Carr was originally a 2014 second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders. He was with them through the 2022 season, and he had a lot of success there. He made four Pro Bowls and was an MVP candidate in 2016.
However, the Raiders struggled during Carr’s later years there, and he was released as part of their rebuilding process. Then, he signed with the New Orleans Saints. While he originally agreed to a four-year deal there, Carr retired after two seasons.
That was a surprising decision, though. Carr had recently turned 34, and while he didn’t have much success with the Saints, it looked like he still had gas left in the tank. However, his body had taken a beating over the years, and that led to him walking away.
That’s why he specifies that he’d need to be healthy to make a comeback to the NFL. However, during that same podcast, his older brother, David Carr, commented on what he knows about the status of the younger Carr’s body.
“I know you’re healthy,” Carr said.
If the elder Carr is correct, then the former Raiders and Saints quarterback should just need a championship-quality team to lure him out of retirement.
Could that be the Steelers? It’s possible. They’ve been a consistent playoff team over the past few years. Quarterback has been the big missing piece for them. Carr might see himself as the answer to the Steelers’ problems. They’ve got some decent pieces on offense, too, most notably an up-and-coming offensive line.
However, several other teams might be more intriguing for Carr. For example, the Minnesota Vikings might be in the quarterback market, and while they struggled last year, there’s a lot to like about their team. Justin Jefferson, in particular, is any quarterback’s best friend.
Also, the Steelers still seem content to wait and see what Rodgers decides to do. Carr is another option, though. There aren’t many obvious upgrades under center for the Steelers in free agency or the draft. Carr would be among the more intriguing candidates if he’s willing to play in Pittsburgh.
