Derek Carr finds himself at a crossroads with the New Orleans Saints, as he’s locked into a hefty two-year contract that carries cap hits of $50 million and $60 million. With the arrival of new head coach Kellen Moore, there seems to be a fresh perspective on Carr, but the financial implications make it worth considering if a move might benefit both player and team.
Looking at the landscape, the Pittsburgh Steelers present a compelling opportunity for Carr. After parting ways with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, the Steelers find themselves in need of a starting quarterback. With Fields having started five games yet struggling to maintain his job despite an impressive 10-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, the team appears poised to pursue veteran talent. Mike Tomlin and his staff may view Carr as a viable option—someone who can step right in and stabilize the offense.
Fans in Pittsburgh may wish for a marquee name like Aaron Rodgers, but if that doesn’t pan out, Carr seems like a practical choice. His experience could provide the Steelers with the leadership they currently lack at quarterback.
From the Saints’ perspective, the financial burden of Carr’s contract could limit their options moving forward. If the Steelers were to express interest, a trade might yield a third or fourth-round pick—an acceptable return given Carr’s contract complexities. For New Orleans, offloading Carr could allow them to pivot quickly into a rebuilding phase, with the potential to bring in a younger quarterback like Justin Fields, Joe Milton, or Jaxson Dart through the draft.
The Saints have long struggled with salary cap issues, but it’s clear that GM Mickey Loomis needs to take decisive action to avoid further stagnation. Moving on from Carr could signal a shift in direction for the franchise, setting them up for a more promising future with fresh talent at the helm. Carr’s time at the Saints has had its moments of success when healthy, but with the constraints he brings, the allure of a new beginning may be too tempting to resist.
This offseason could mark a critical turning point for the Saints, emphasizing the need for strategic decisions that could reshape their trajectory in the upcoming years.
