Former Pitt and Pittsburgh Steelers free agent running back James Conner has signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced on Tuesday.
Conner, 25 had visited with the Cardinals on Monday and was one of the top running back free agents remaining on the market.
Conner rushed for 721 yards on 169 carries for the Steelers in 2020, exactly mimicking his career average of 4.3 yards per carry. In four seasons with the Steelers after joining the team as a third-round pick in 2017 NFL Draft, he rushed for 2,302 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Conner was named to his first and only Pro Bowl in 2018, but he saw his production drop significantly over the last two seasons due to a combination of injuries and poor offensive line play. Conner rushed for 721 yards and six scores with the Steelers in 2020.
An Erie, Pa. native and McDowell High School grad, Conner had played his entire career — high school, college and professional — in Western Pennsylvania.
In Arizona, Conner will join former Pitt punter Andy Lee. Former Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is a free agent and has yet to announce his intentions for the 2021 season.
Getting away from the Rooneys is always a good thing. Good luck James and Hail to Pitt.
Happy for him!