Steelers Connected To Forgotten Pro Bowl Quarterback As Return Rumors Swirl

The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially in the offseason with the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. They can now prepare for the 2026 NFL Combine and free agency. The Steelers are expected to take a wide receiver in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but they will still heavily scout another position: quarterback. The organization wants to bring back Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season, but as it sits now, Rodgers re-signing is not a sure thing. Pittsburgh will have competition for his services and if they are unable to bring back the four-time MVP, there is another veteran Pro Bowler who may put himself on the market. 

Quarterback Derek Carr, who retired in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, is considering a comeback. Carr is a four-time Pro Bowler and even finished third in MVP voting in 2016. In his last season, he threw for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Carr only led the Las Vegas Raiders to the playoffs twice in his career, but that's not entirely his fault; he's played on some pretty bad teams. 

Nick Shook of NFL.com wrote an article about Carr and his potential landing spots if he were to come out of retirement. The Steelers not only made the list, but are first on it. 

Carr has always been a solid quarterback, but not much more. He hasn't played football in over a year and would likely be a step backward for the Steelers. Many fans argue that Rodgers at 42 would be the better option. Rodgers was mostly healthy for the 2025 season; a broken wrist kept him out for a game and a half, but he played in every other contest for the Steelers. Carr is coming off shoulder surgery, and his body is likely not in great football shape. His comeback has a good chance of ending in injury, just like in 2024. 

The Steelers still remain in win-now mode despite getting routed in the Wild Card Round earlier last month. They believe their roster is good enough to compete. With that said, Carr would likely not be the guy to get them to the Promised Land. Carr has played in just one playoff game and was hurt for the Raiders' playoff battle in 2016. In his one playoff contest, he had a 53.7 completion percentage and just one touchdown, with one interception. The Raiders would go on to lose that game. The Steelers need a guy who can elevate the team on the biggest stage. 

The Steelers brought in Rodgers because he is a future Hall of Famer. Rodgers elevated the team at season's end in 2025 as they won the AFC North division title. The defense played well, but it was Rodgers who was stealing the show. The Steelers' roster isn't good enough to win with Carr per se and he would likely need an already established contender for him to be successful in 2026. The Steelers are not close to that level, thus making this move backwards. 

Steelers Need To Just Go Young

The Steelers have been recycling veteran quarterbacks regularly the past few seasons. Between Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Mitch Trubisky. They've wanted to win now for years, but haven't come close to getting out of the first round of the playoffs since 2016. Fans argue that it's time for a young guy to take over and for them to actually let him develop. Will Howard is an option, but he doesn't have much upside as a sixth-round pick in 2025. The Steelers have been mocked to draft Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson, but that would resemble the Kenny Pickett draft pick.  

Luckily for the Steelers, the 2027 quarterback class is much better. With guys like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and Julian Sayin all getting more experience, this class should be the next great quarterback class. 

What do you think? Should the Steelers look into Carr or go younger? Let us know in the comments. 

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