Feb. 10, 2026, 5:09 a.m. ET
Another quarterback trade candidate has emerged for the Pittsburgh Steelers following a new report on New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr potentially coming out of retirement in 2026.
According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, Carr could unretire for the “right situation,” with New Orleans potentially looking to deal the veteran quarterback for trade compensation.
“The Saints still hold Carr’s rights, though Tyler Shough’s impressive rookie season, the amicable end to Carr’s time in New Orleans, and the way the sides worked through any salary-cap issues add up to his tolled contract being an unlikely hurdle in the process,” Rapoport, Pelissero, and Garafolo wrote. “The Saints could ask for compensation in a trade, though the price surely wouldn’t be an unreasonable ask for a player who has no future in New Orleans.”
Additionally, it was reported that Carr has “no shoulder limitations,” using the 2025 season to heal up from a labral tear and damaged rotator cuff that forced him into an early retirement.
If the Steelers lose out on Aaron Rodgers in 2026, pursuing a trade with Carr could be a win-win scenario for both sides, as the 34-year-old quarterback gets another shot at redemption in the NFL, while Pittsburgh gets a solid stopgap option at quarterback for a possible bargain.
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