James Conner has been Mr. Reliable for the Arizona Cardinals since he signed a three-year deal before the 2022 season, and the Cardinals have decided to re-up with their star running back.
Conner is re-signing with the Cardinals on a two-year deal worth $19 million, keeping him in Arizona through the 2026 season. He was scheduled to become a free agent during the offseason.
Conner is in the midst of a strong season for the Cardinals, racking up 166 carries for 705 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and five touchdowns, adding 29 receptions for 288 yards.
Conner, who started his NFL career with the Steelers after a standout career at Pitt, has racked up 1,291 carries for 5,581 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 59 touchdowns — adding 263 receptions for 2,091 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air.
He’s in the midst of his fourth season in Arizona, his eighth season in the NFL, after being drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
In four seasons at Pitt, missing most of his third season due to an ACL tear (and a cancer diagnosis), Conner rushed for 3,733 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and 52 touchdowns — adding 30 receptions for 412 yards (13.7 yards per reception) and four touchdowns.
Conner is second all-time in career rushing yards at Pitt (with the fourth-highest single-season total), and second in career-rushing touchdowns at Pitt (with the highest single-season total).
As he thrives in his eighth NFL season, coming off perhaps the best season of his NFL career, it’s a testament to his remarkable willpower in overcoming the roadblocks in his life on the way to a very successful NFL career.
And now, with the hard work he’s put in over his four seasons in Arizona, he’s staying for another couple of seasons. He’s nearing his 30th birthday, but he’s only gotten better during his time in the desert.
The Cardinals are sitting at 6-5, tied with the Seattle Seahawks for first place in the NFC West, and James Conner will be a key figure in leading a playoff push through the second half of the season.
The Steelers should have kept him. He has proven he is better than Najee in every aspect of the position.