The rumor mill has been churning lately with whispers of legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers potentially landing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2026. But before you start imagining Rodgers in a Cardinals jersey, NFL insider Ian Rapoport has poured cold water on the speculation.

For context, Rodgers is currently a free agent and hasn't yet decided if he'll play next season. He spent last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who recently swapped head coach Mike Tomlin for Mike McCarthy—a familiar face from Rodgers' Green Bay Packers days. On the surface, Arizona seems to have some intriguing connections: offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett previously coached Rodgers, and Mike LaFleur (younger brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur) is on staff. Plus, the Cardinals' quarterback room is thin, and they're in a contract standoff with starter Jacoby Brissett.

But don't let those dots fool you. Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Rapoport was unequivocal: "No legs for that one. I do not expect him to sign with Arizona. I expect, if he is going to play, to play for Pittsburgh."

So while the idea of Rodgers bringing his four-time MVP talent to the desert made for a fun offseason conversation starter, it appears to be nothing more than that. For now, Cardinal fans can focus on their own quarterback situation—and perhaps keep an eye on Pittsburgh for Rodgers' next chapter.