The Pittsburgh Steelers might be on the verge of solving their quarterback dilemma by exploring a trade for veteran QB Derek Carr. With uncertainty looming around their 2025 quarterback plans and options like Aaron Rodgers still undecided, Carr has emerged as a compelling candidate—especially if the New Orleans Saints are willing to move on from his hefty contract.
Carr is currently under contract with the Saints for the next two seasons, with cap hits nearing $50–60 million annually. While new head coach Kellen Moore has publicly expressed support for Carr, the financial strain of his deal and the Saints’ chronic salary cap issues make a potential trade more logical than ever. If New Orleans wants to escape “cap hell” and begin a youth movement, parting ways with Carr could be step one.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, Carr represents a safe, experienced alternative to the instability they’ve faced recently. The team let both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk in free agency, leaving a vacuum under center. While Fields posted a respectable 10-1 TD-INT ratio in five starts, Mike Tomlin’s staff appeared to prefer a seasoned pocket passer like Wilson. That tendency likely makes Carr a better schematic fit than any raw or dual-threat QB prospect currently on the board.
If the Steelers were to pursue Carr, the trade cost likely wouldn’t be steep. Given the burdensome nature of Carr’s contract and his age (he turns 34 this year), the Saints could be enticed by a third or fourth-round pick, or even a player swap. The Saints might even need to include an additional mid-round pick to offload the full salary and officially begin their rebuild under Moore. That could open the door for New Orleans to draft and develop a younger quarterback like Joe Milton, Jaxson Dart, or even take a flyer on someone like Spencer Rattler later in the draft.
For the Steelers, the addition of Carr would provide immediate stability and help keep them competitive in a tough AFC North. And for the Saints, it’s a chance to reset and build for the future rather than clinging to an expensive and limited ceiling with Carr at the helm.
In a league where quarterback movement often defines offseason drama, this potential trade could quietly shape the future of two franchises heading in very different directions.
