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The NFL Draft has come and gone, and Aaron Rodgers is still a free agent.
Rodgers spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the fact that he has not signed with them for next season has fans wondering if he is considering signing with another team or retiring. The Arizona Cardinals do not have a confirmed starting quarterback for this upcoming season, and head coach Mike LaFleur was asked if the team has any interest in the four-time NFL MVP.
“Honestly, right now we’re focused on the guys that we have coming in,” LaFleur said during a recent appearance on “The Jim Rome Show.”
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Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands during the national anthem before an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 4, 2026. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
“We have the unit that we have — Gardner (Minshew), Jacoby (Brissett) and (Kedon) Slovis — and then we drafted Carson Beck in the third round,” LaFleur said.
“We’ve got a space we’re happy to work with, and that’s solely where my focus is.”
The Cardinals officially released Kyler Murray in March after seven seasons, signaling the search for a new franchise quarterback. While Rodgers, 42 years old, would not be the Cardinals’ long-term answer, he proved last season that he is still capable of being a serviceable NFL quarterback.
In 16 games with the Steelers, Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Cardinals signed wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in March, and the 30-year-old recently took to social media to recruit Rodgers.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur speaks during a news conference following the first round of the NFL Draft at the team’s facility in Tempe, Arizona, on April 23, 2026. (Joe Rondone/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“(Aaron Rodgers) Come on, we’re waiting for you,” Bourne wrote to X with eyes and smiley emojis.
But with Minshew, Brissett and Beck in the fold, the Cardinals could prefer to use one of those two veterans as their bridge quarterback or start the rookie, Beck.
Minshew signed a one-year, $5.75 million contract with the Cardinals after spending last season backing up Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Cardinals last season. He took over after Murray was injured and started 11 games. The team went 1-11 in his starts, while Brissett completed 64.9% of his passes for 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on after being sacked in the first half of the NFL Wild Card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Jan. 12, 2026. (Michael Longo/For USA Today Network-PA/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Brissett is currently sitting out voluntary workouts as he seeks a contract extension that reflects a starter’s salary.
The Cardinals selected Beck in the third round of the draft after the 24-year-old spent the final season of his collegiate career with Miami and helped lead the Hurricanes to the national title game.
While the Cardinals have options for their quarterback job next season, none would be as skilled as Rodgers.
