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Derek Carr’s Injury Could Complicate the Steelers’ Draft Strategy — and Open the Door for a Saints Spoiler
The New Orleans Saints were dealt a major blow on April 11, as reports emerged that quarterback Derek Carr may be facing a serious shoulder injury — one that could jeopardize his availability for the 2025 season. While this news is undoubtedly a gut punch for the Saints, the ripple effects could extend far beyond New Orleans — potentially disrupting the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback plans in the upcoming draft.
A Collision Course in the QB Market
The Steelers have been steadily linked to quarterbacks leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, most notably Jaxson Dart and, more recently, Shedeur Sanders. Both players project as first-round talents, and Sanders in particular has been reported as Pittsburgh’s preferred target. The problem? The Saints own the 9th overall pick, and suddenly, they have a legitimate reason to take a quarterback — perhaps the very one Pittsburgh has been eyeing.The Saints’ Quarterback Conundrum
New Orleans finds itself in a strange and financially strained situation. Earlier this offseason, they restructured Derek Carr’s contract to ease his 2024 cap hit. But the catch? His 2025 cap number balloons to a staggering $69.2 million. Cutting or trading Carr next year could bring massive dead cap consequences — and that’s assuming his shoulder injury doesn’t already render him ineffective or unavailable.
Behind Carr is Spencer Rattler, who the team reportedly likes and could get a serious look. But with a top-10 pick in a quarterback-light class, the Saints are now in a unique position: either draft a potential franchise quarterback now or gamble on being bad enough again next year to take one in what’s widely considered a stronger 2026 QB class.
If they go with the former, Shedeur Sanders makes a ton of sense. He’s got the arm, the poise, the charisma — and the draft momentum.
Steelers’ Worst-Case Scenario: Losing Sanders to the Saints
For Pittsburgh, the emergence of New Orleans as a quarterback-hungry team is troubling. The Steelers pick later in the first round and are unlikely to be able to leapfrog the Saints without giving up a haul of future picks. And with Aaron Rodgers still a possible short-term option and Mason Rudolph in the wings, it would be unwise for the Steelers to overextend for a QB in what many analysts view as a weaker-than-usual quarterback class.
If Sanders is taken at No. 9, Pittsburgh’s best bet might be to stay put, address another roster need, and keep their capital for 2026, when the likes of Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck, and potentially Arch Manning could headline a deeper quarterback pool.
What Should Pittsburgh Do?
The Steelers face a decision that could define their next five years:
- Option A: Get aggressive, trade up, and risk mortgaging the future for a QB they like — but not love — in a lukewarm class.
- Option B: Stay the course, sign or retain a veteran like Rodgers or Rudolph, and ride out 2025 while stacking assets and building the roster.
- Option C: Trade down, gain more picks, and take a shot on a developmental QB later while bolstering other areas of the team.
The smart money says Option B is the safest and most strategic — especially if Sanders comes off the board before Pittsburgh picks. There’s no need to panic. Patience might not be flashy, but it could be the wisest move.
The Bottom Line
Derek Carr’s injury has created unexpected waves in the NFL draft pool, and the Saints may now hold the cards to spoil the Steelers’ best-laid quarterback plans. If Pittsburgh truly covets Shedeur Sanders, they may need to brace for disappointment — or a costly leap up the board.
Either way, the Steelers must resist the urge to make a desperate move. If the board doesn’t fall their way, they’ll have to trust the process, play the long game, and look toward 2026 for their next franchise quarterback.
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