Aaron Rodgers, previously expected to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, is now rumored to be linked to the Arizona Cardinals for the 2026 season.
Mentioned in this story

Why Steelers' QB target Aaron Rodgers is being linked to the Cardinals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The assumption all along has been that if Aaron Rodgers doesn't retire, he'll play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.
Lately, there've been rumors -- more like speculation -- linking him to the Arizona Cardinals.
That would be a major twist in the tale, for sure.
If Rodgers ended up in Arizona, it would really hurt Pittsburgh's QB situation for the season ahead.
For now, though, no such decisions have been made.
MORE:Shilo Sanders under fire for telling female reporter to 'make a sandwich'
The reality is that there hasn't been any real reporting on this, just speculation.
"In recent days, some in the media have connected dots that had been hiding in plain sight for weeks," . "Even after drafting quarterback , the Cardinals donāt have an obvious answer at the position... Regardless, nearly two months into free agency, thereās been no indication that the Cardinals are eyeing Rodgers or that Rodgers is eyeing the Cardinals. Could it still happen? Sure. Would it make sense at one level? Absolutely. At another level, it would make no sense."
Rumors and speculation have recently emerged suggesting a potential connection between Aaron Rodgers and the Arizona Cardinals.
The initial assumption was that if Aaron Rodgers does not retire, he would play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.
If Aaron Rodgers were to join the Cardinals, it would represent a significant shift in his career trajectory and impact the dynamics of the NFL.
Matt Ryan believes Jahan Dotson has untapped potential with the Falcons.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
The Cardinals currently have Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and the aforementioned Carson Beck. That's clearly not that good, but as Florio writes, their goal this season probably isn't to be all that good.
There are some familiar faces in Arizona, which is part of why the speculation at least makes some sense.
"Nathaniel Hackett, his former offensive coordinator with the Packers and the Jets, has that same role in Arizona now," Florio writes. "And Mike LaFleur, brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur (with whom Rodgers won a pair of NFL MVP awards), is the Cardinalsā head coach. Last year, Mike LaFleur was the Ramsā offensive coordinator. They viewed Rodgers as a potential Plan B, if Matthew Stafford had been traded to the Giants or the Raiders."
The good news for the Steelers is that despite those connections, there hasn't seemed to be any pursuit.
Rodgers probably wouldn't want to go to a non-contending Cardinals team, anyway.
It still seems most likely he picks the Steelers, as long as he doesn't retire.