Aaron Rodgers may join the Arizona Cardinals as their quarterback, shifting from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals are exploring options as their QB situation remains uncertain.
Key points
Aaron Rodgers may join the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals' QB situation is currently uncertain.
Rodgers has a connection with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
He must sign by July 22 to avoid the Steelers retaining his rights.
The Steelers have multiple quarterbacks competing for the starting role.
Mentioned in this story
Aaron RodgersNathaniel HackettMike LaFleurJacoby BrissettMason RudolphWill HowardDrew Allar
Arizona CardinalsPittsburgh SteelersGreen Bay PackersNew York Jets
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Like all good sequels, the Aaron Rodgers-Pittsburgh Steelers melodrama has had a few decent twists and turns that would make Randy from *Scream* proud. A rarely used contract tender after weeks of promised deadlines coming and going without any sort of direction or answers? How exciting. Now, a new door has opened in this weird game of chicken between the future Hall of Fame quarterback and the franchise who have no idea what he wants to do.
On April 30, John Breech of CBS Sports threw out the idea of Rodgers joining the Arizona Cardinals instead of the Steelers.
“At this point, [the Cardinals] QB situation is still up in the air,” Breech writes. “Going into April, Jacoby Brissett appeared to have the inside track, but he’s skipping the team’s voluntary workouts because he wants to be paid like a starter. Instead of giving Brissett more money, the Cardinals could simply call Rodgers and offer that money to him.”
While that could make sense financially for Rodgers, many wondered what pieces on the roster would seem enticing. However, after adding running back Jeremiyah Love to complement wide receiver and tight end , there is plenty of young talent that could just be a quarterback away from taking off.
Additionally, Mike Florio of NBC Sports says that Arizona has “always” been a possibility to land Rodgers, as his former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was hired in the same role by head coach Mike LaFleur, the brother of Rodgers’ former head coach in , Matt LaFleur.
“The Cardinals have always been a possibility, given that they don’t have a clear first-string quarterback on the roster,” . “And it would make sense for the Cardinals to be interested in Rodgers. Nathaniel Hackett, his former offensive coordinator with the and the , has that same role in Arizona now. And Mike LaFleur, brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur (with whom Rodgers won a pair of NFL MVP awards), is the Cardinals’ head coach.”
Perhaps Rodgers sees the warm weather of Arizona, as well as his good friend in Hackett as more alluring than playing in two months of cold weather in Pittsburgh. Should that be the case, he needs to sign with Arizona by July 22 or the Steelers will hold his rights for the 2026 season. And if that is, indeed, what happens, Pittsburgh would likely role into the summer with , , and duking it out to see who will be the Week 1 starter.
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Q&A
What are the chances of Aaron Rodgers joining the Arizona Cardinals?
There is a real chance of Aaron Rodgers joining the Arizona Cardinals due to their uncertain quarterback situation and his connection with former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Why is Aaron Rodgers considering the Cardinals over the Steelers?
Rodgers may prefer the warm weather of Arizona and the familiarity with Hackett, compared to the colder climate in Pittsburgh.
What deadline does Aaron Rodgers face to sign with the Cardinals?
Rodgers needs to sign with the Cardinals by July 22, or the Steelers will retain his rights for the 2026 season.
Who are the current quarterbacks competing for the Steelers' starting position?
The Steelers' current quarterback contenders include Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar.
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