If Derek Carr decides to lace up the cleats again, don’t be surprised if the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the first teams in line to give him a call.
According to a recent set of hypothetical odds from Bookies.com, the Steelers are listed as the top potential landing spot for Carr should he come out of retirement, sitting at +450. While staying retired is still considered the most likely outcome, Pittsburgh leads the pack of possible suitors, with the Minnesota Vikings trailing just behind at +550.
Carr, now a year removed from the NFL, never officially hit the free-agent market after stepping away from the New Orleans Saints. He was weighing surgery on a shoulder injury that would’ve sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Instead of going under the knife, Carr chose to walk away from the game after 11 seasons under center.
But the door isn’t completely closed. On his podcast, Carr made it clear: he’s not ruling out a return - but it has to be on his terms.
“Would I do it? Yes.
Would I do it for anybody? Absolutely not,” Carr said.
“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 the key - health and a legitimate shot at a ring. Carr’s not looking to be a bridge quarterback or a mentor in a rebuild. He’s looking for a team that’s ready to compete now, and if the right opportunity presents itself, he’s open to coming back.
Enter the Steelers.
Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation heading into 2026 is still centered around Aaron Rodgers, who led the team throughout the 2025 season. But Rodgers’ future is always a question mark at this stage in his career. If he decides to hang it up - or explore another opportunity - the Steelers could be in the market for a veteran with experience and leadership.
Carr fits that mold. He’s a proven starter with over a decade in the league, and while he’s never made a deep playoff run, he’s consistently been viewed as a capable and respected presence in the locker room. For a team like Pittsburgh, which prides itself on stability and toughness, Carr could be a natural fit - especially if the front office believes the roster is close to contending.
Of course, a lot still has to happen. Carr’s return is far from guaranteed, and Rodgers’ status will likely determine how aggressive the Steelers are in exploring other options. But if Carr is serious about coming back, and if Pittsburgh finds itself needing a quarterback with experience and poise, this could be a storyline worth watching.
One thing’s clear: Carr isn’t coming back just to play out the string. He’s looking for a shot at something bigger.
Whether the Steelers can offer that - or whether they’ll need to - remains to be seen. But the connection makes sense, and it’s one to keep an eye on as the offseason unfolds.