The dream of Aaron Rodgers suiting up for the Arizona Cardinals has officially been put to rest. NFL insider Ian Rapoport appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and quickly dismissed any lingering rumors of a potential deal between the two sides. According to Rapoport, there’s simply no scenario where the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback lands in the desert. Instead, the most likely outcome is Rodgers returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.

For Cardinals fans, this might actually be a blessing in disguise. At 42 years old, Rodgers would only make sense for a roster that’s already complete and just needs a veteran leader under center. But Arizona is far from that reality. After a disappointing 3-14 season, the team has plenty of holes to fill, especially in a competitive NFC West.

General manager Monti Ossenfort seems to understand this. Rather than chasing a big-name quarterback, he’s focused on the long game. This offseason, Ossenfort has signed mostly short-term deals to patch up the roster, leaving the Cardinals with over $100 million in cap space heading into next year’s free agency period. Add in the fact that the 2027 quarterback draft class is expected to be much stronger than this year’s, and Arizona could find itself picking near the top of the draft again.

But here’s the catch: can Ossenfort survive another 3-14 season? Many thought he was on his way out alongside former head coach Jonathan Gannon. However, Ossenfort remains in place, and alongside owner Michael Bidwill, has publicly stated the team aims to be competitive next year. The offseason moves—and the decision to pass on Rodgers—don’t exactly match those promises. It leaves fans wondering if the Cardinals are truly rebuilding or just treading water.