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Aaron Rodgers could be the answer to the Cardinals QB conundrum in 2026.
The Arizona Cardinals will be making massive changes this offseason, with the biggest coming at the quarterback position. The Cardinals are expected to cut ties with Kyler Murray, either by trade or release, since he’s carrying a $52.6 million cap hit for 2026.
That naturally leads to speculation on how they’ll replace the seven-year starter, given the importance of the position to the team’s success. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk names one potential free agent, Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, 42, is nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career. The long-time Packer played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, leading them to a playoff appearance. Rodgers has ties to Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, whom he played under with the Packers and Jets.
Rodgers will be entering his 22nd season in the NFL, and 19th as a starter. He was the starter in Green Bay for 15 seasons, under Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur. He was traded to the Jets in 2023, with Hackett being hired as the offensive coordinator with that deal in mind.
History could repeat itself in 2026 if the Cardinals can convince the future Hall of Famer to come to the desert. Florio reported that Rodgers nearly played under the Cardinals’ new head coach, Mike LaFleur, in 2025. The future Hall of Famer was the Rams‘ Plan B if Matthew Stafford did not come back on a revised contract. Rodgers also played under Mike’s older brother in Green Bay, so he should have intel.
Why the Cardinals Would Pursue Aaron Rodgers
The Cardinals will need someone to bridge the gap at quarterback once Murray is either traded or cut. NFL insider Albert Breer believes the seven-year starter’s contract complicates a trade, which could lead to a release instead.
A Murray release will result in a huge cap charge for 2026 and possibly hamstring the Cardinals’ offseason. It could price them out of Malik Willis’ services. While they could free up $30 million with easy cap decisions, they still have to improve a roster that went 3-14 in 2025. Signing Rodgers, who won’t require a huge commitment in years or dollars, would make a lot of sense.
Having Rodgers under center allows the Cardinals to better evaluate their offensive pieces. They don’t lack weapons on that side of the ball. Trey McBride broke the NFL single-season receptions mark for a tight end, and Michael Wilson logged the first 1,000-yard season of his career. Former first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr. is a potential breakout candidate if he can stay on the field.
If the Cardinals show they have a potent offense under Rodgers, that could attract a better quarterback option in the future. Of course, that’s easier said than done, since they’re the NFC West’s doormat.
Why Aaron Rodgers Might Turn Down the Cardinals
The Cardinals may bank on Rodgers’ relationship with Hackett, but he’s also 42. It’s unclear how much is left in the tank. Arizona might not be an attractive destination for a quarterback looking for one last hurrah.
The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their head coach, which has bringing back Rodgers in mind. McCarthy more or less made his pitch in his introductory press conference, and it makes sense for him to stay in Pittsburgh.
The Cardinals can benefit from a veteran quarterback, but that still might not close the gap significantly. The NFC West produced three teams that won 12+ games, meaning they won at least 10 games outside of their matchups against Arizona. If Rodgers is not capable of significantly closing that gap, it might not help the Cardinals out much long-term.
For a team that’s desperate for a quarterback, it’s worth taking a shot at Rodgers.
Michael McDermott Michael McDermott is a writer at Heavy Sports covering the Arizona Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball. Michael has 10 years experience writing about the D-backs and their farm system for AZ Snake Pit, Burn City Sports, and Diamondbacks On SI. More about Michael McDermott
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