So far this offseason, we have seen one major quarterback domino fall which could ultimately impact the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After weeks of speculation, Matthew Stafford and the L.A. Rams figured out a way to stay together thus ending any dream of Pittsburgh ever swooping in. Not that they were ever a top contender to land him, but the Steelers being without a starting quarterback, right now, keeps them in any related conversation.
Now, most believe Pittsburgh will end up going with one of their guys from last year in 2025. Whether it's Justin Fields or Russell Wilson remains to be seen. However, the Steelers do have other options if they so choose.
One of the Steelers' other potential options not mentioned with the likes of Fields, Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston or even Kirk Cousins could surprise fans, though. There's one more under-the-radar candidate who could potentially become available, and no one has been talking about him.
Derek Carr might become an option for the Steelers in free agency
In one of his latest segments following the Combine, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport speculated over the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Derek Carr possibly not seeing eye to eye.
"Mickey Loomis has said he expects Derek Carr to be their starter," Rapoport noted.
"If they're not settled on a contract for Derek Carr, if they want him to take a pay cut, I don't see that happening.
"There is a chance that Derek Carr becomes free. So you have a team like maybe the Steelers, maybe the Titans. There are options out there for him," he said.
Well, okay then. Who knew Derek Carr might become an option for the Steelers?
At this point, you can throw just about any potentially-available quarterback in the mix for Pittsburgh. In the end, it could certainly end up being someone like Fields. But, the Steelers need to figure out a solution, and a veteran is only part of that equation.
If someone like Carr were to come to Pittsburgh, that would be seen as a "win now" type of move. The Steelers have a talented roster in several areas, but quarterback continues to be the focal point of fans' worries.
Carr might not be an MVP-level quarterback, but he's absolutely someone the Steelers can win with. The question after finding a quarterback, then, is how the team will plan to give him more weapons other than George Pickens at the wide recevier position.
Add in a murky future at the running back position and, well, I suppose the Steelers have a few questions to answer yet.
