The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the offseason, once again not knowing who their starting quarterback will be in Mike McCarthy’s first year.
There is a thought that Aaron Rodgers will be coming back, which, for most, isn’t the answer, as the Steelers have a clear ceiling with the four-time MVP winner. Plus, he isn’t likely to lead this team to a Super Bowl.Another option is to take your lumps with young Will Howard and let McCarthy develop him. Short-term pain for potential long-term gain.
Now here’s another one. We have heard rumors of Derek Carr making a potential comeback, and for NFL.com’s Nick Shook, he thinks the Steelers could be a potential landing spot for Carr if he were to return.
“Pittsburgh lacks a young candidate at the position and maintains an expectation to contend immediately after Aaron Rodgers helped them win the AFC North in 2025, making for a natural fit for Carr — unless, of course, Rodgers returns for a second season,” Shook wrote.
“There are questions to answer, though, starting with how Carr might align with new head coach Mike McCarthy. On paper, the rest of the situation should entice Carr, including the presence of DK Metcalf and the possibility that Carr could make it a multi-season home if things go well.”
Steelers shouldn’t make move for Carr
Steelers’ fans will likely be unmoved by the potential signing of Carr, mostly because, at 34 years old and having a year off, he isn’t the long-term answer.
He’s another stopgap player like Rodgers was.
The Steelers aren’t likely to truly challenge for the Super Bowl with Carr, nor Rodgers, for that matter, so why not take your lumps with Howard or another young quarterback and see where it gets you?
Pittsburgh fans have likely had enough of the eight and nine-win seasons without properly challenging for the Super Bowl.
The franchise finally has a chance to buck a decade-long trend and properly move on.
And signing Carr won’t change the franchise for the better.