Top Free Agent QBs and Trade Targets for QB-Needy Teams After Derek Carr's Retirement

Derek Carr weighed opinions on his shoulder injury and decided to retire because of degenerative changes to his rotator cuff. He'll start a new chapter in his professional life, and the New Orleans Saints must sort out their quarterback situation.

The Saints aren't the only team with uncertainty at quarterback, though. The Pittsburgh Steelers await Aaron Rodgers' decision on whether he will continue to play or retire. The Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts have wide-open quarterback competitions. 

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, QB-needy teams considered Carr a trade option before his career-ending announcement. 

Now that the 34-year-old is no longer an option, how can those teams pivot to address the position?

Here are eight viable quarterback options on the trade and free-agent markets, a mix of experienced veterans and developing signal-callers with notable starting experience.

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/David Becker

Regardless of what Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has told reporters about the possibility of retaining Kirk Cousins, the club is likelier to trade him even if it has to take on a portion of his salary to facilitate the transaction.

This year, Atlanta will open the season with Michael Penix Jr. as its starting quarterback, and Cousins has a $40 million cap hit. As Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson noted, the 36-year-old has already banked $10 million in guarantees in 2026 for being on Atlanta's roster after March 16.

Still, the Falcons can trade Cousins after June 1 and save $27.5 million in cap space this year, per Over the Cap.  

If quarterback-needy teams believe the four-time Pro Bowler has another season or two of optimal years, the Falcons should be open to a deal that nets them a fourth-round pick.

Following a down year, Cousins' trade value will only drop as he watches from the sidelines. So, it would be best for Atlanta to trade him sooner rather than later. 

According to Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official website, Cousins made it clear to team owner Arthur Blank that he wants to be a starter. He would likely waive his no-trade clause for an opportunity to be the lead signal-caller elsewhere.

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

The Tennessee Titans selected Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Typically, top quarterback prospects start right away. 

Between 2019 and 2024, teams that selected a signal-caller with the first pick started him in Week 1. Baker Mayfield was the last quarterback to go No. 1 overall and open his rookie campaign as a backup.

The Titans should have seen enough of Will Levis over the last two years to know what they have in him, a physically gifted but turnover-prone signal-caller who has thrown 16 interceptions and fumbled 17 times in 21 games.  

If not Week 1, Ward will start sometime in the upcoming campaign. Teams could inquire about Levis with the thought that he can be a serviceable starter if the coaching staff supports him with a strong ground attack and reliable targets in the short passing game. In that setting, the Kentucky product can get the ball out quickly or to his running backs and avoid unnecessary turnovers.

Turning 26 in June, Levis has room for technical growth to complement his mobility and arm strength.

Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Over the last two years, Aidan O'Connell has taken the most regular-season snaps under center for the Las Vegas Raiders, replacing Jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew II midseason. He's thrown for 3,830 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 62.6 percent completion rate.

This offseason, the Raiders traded for Geno Smith and signed him to a two-year, $85.5 million extension, indicating he will be their starter for the foreseeable future. 

Because of head coach Pete Carroll's rapport with Smith, dating back to their time together with the Seattle Seahawks when the signal-caller won 2022 Comeback Player of the Year and earned two Pro Bowl nods, don't expect an open quarterback competition in Las Vegas.

Furthermore, the Raiders drafted Cam Miller in the sixth round of this year's draft. He could be offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's developmental project at the position.

At 26, O'Connell has proved himself to be a decent spot starter and backup, with 17 career starts. He can push or beat out an older bridge-gap quarterback for the lead position.

Kenny Pickett, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The Cleveland Browns have a crowded quarterback room of new faces.

After Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles twice, the club swapped Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round draft pick for Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Browns signed Joe Flacco, and they drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the third and fifth rounds, respectively.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes Flacco has "pole position" for the starting job (starts at 2:23).

Remember, the 40-year-old started five games for the Browns in 2023, throwing for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, leading them to the playoffs. So, he has an early advantage over Pickett and two rookies in a system that's familiar to him.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski may prefer to start a veteran signal-caller who knows his offense and then insert one of the rookies if the season goes off the rails. In that scenario, Pickett would be the odd man out.

As a starter between 2022 and 2023 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was a game manager. He has thrown for 300-plus yards or multiple touchdowns in only two outings. 

Pickett is a low-ceiling starter who won't hurt his team with turnovers but makes too few plays to keep the job.

Aaron Rodgers, Free Agent

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Since the New York Jets released Aaron Rodgers in March, he's been mulling over a decision to continue his playing career or retire.  

While on The Pat McAfee Show, he said there's "no deadline" for his announcement. If the 41-year-old plays this year, he's likely to suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In March, Pittsburgh hosted a visit with Rodgers. Team owner Art Rooney II told reporters that signs are "pointing in that direction" when asked about the possibility that the four-time league MVP signs with the Steelers.

The Steelers didn't take a quarterback until the sixth round of the draft, selecting Will Howard at No. 185, which may reflect the team's expectation of signing Rodgers or the coaching staff's confidence in Mason Rudolph leading the offense.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell had "multiple" conversations with Rodgers. On Day 3 of the draft, the Vikings acquired Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks, a move that likely eliminated Rodgers from their consideration.

This offseason, Rodgers will join the Steelers or hang up his cleats.

Ryan Tannehill, Free Agent

AP

Ryan Tannehill hasn't taken an NFL snap since the final week of the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans. In 2024, the Titans moved on with Will Levis, and Tannehill didn't generate much buzz until March.

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Minnesota Vikings "had discussions" with Tannehill. Since then, Minnesota has backed J.J. McCarthy as its starting quarterback and acquired Sam Howell from the Seattle Seahawks.

At 36, following a year away from the NFL, Tannehill has slim chances of winning a training camp battle.

However, a team like the New Orleans Saints with a young quarterback room could bring in an experienced veteran in case none of their signal-callers outright claim the starting job.

Carson Wentz, Free Agent

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Once upon a time, Carson Wentz was on the rise as one of the league's young, promising signal-callers, but he bounced around after a five-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, playing for a different team every season since 2021.

Over the last two years, he has served as a backup to Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes, starting in only two games.

Though Wentz has become a journeyman quarterback, he's 32 years old and still has a strong arm and mobility. If Rodgers retires, he would be the most appealing free-agent option because of his age and experience.

At this stage of Wentz's career, he can be a high-end bridge-gap quarterback who provides a short-term offensive spark in the passing game. The 10th-year veteran has thrown for 153 touchdowns and 67 interceptions in 98 games with 94 starts.

Jameis Winston, New York Giants

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

The New York Giants made a notable splash with a trade on Day 1 of this year's draft. After taking edge-rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick, they moved back into the first round for Jaxson Dart.

After Day 2 of the draft, head coach Brian Daboll said, "Russ [Wilson] will be our starter." 

Jameis Winston won't compete for the starting job, and the Giants will develop Dart in hopes he becomes their franchise quarterback.  

Winston is stuck between the present and the future in New York's quarterback plans. With Russell Wilson locked into the starting role, the Giants may entertain trade offers for Winston while preparing Dart to move up the depth chart.

Big Blue could fetch an early Day 3 pick for Winston, who has served as a big-armed high-risk, high-reward backup with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints over the last five seasons, throwing for 33 touchdowns and 23 interceptions since 2021. 

Player contract details are courtesy of Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.