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Arizona Cardinals reward running back James Conner with two-year, $19M extension

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra11/30/24

SamraSource

James Conner
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

James Conner has found a home with the Arizona Cardinals, and the star running back will be sticking around the desert for a while longer.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the franchise has agreed to a two-year extension with the veteran ball carrier. Conner, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star who’s been vital to the team’s resurgence in 2024, will continue to be a focal point in the team’s rushing attack.

“More time together: Cardinals are signing RB James Conner to a two-year contract extension, per source,” Schefter posted on X. “Conner was scheduled to be a free agent after this season, but no longer.

“… Compensation update: Cardinals are rewarding James Conner with a two-year, $19 million extension, per source.”

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Conner spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the aforementioned Steelers. There, he helped ease the transition away from Le’Veon Bell, spending four seasons with his hometown team and amassing 2,302 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, he added 124 receptions for 963 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Over the last four seasons with the Cardinals, he’s truly evolved into one of the premier backs in the league, and an underrated star on the offensive side of the football. All in all, he’s rushed for 3,279 yards and 34 touchdowns in Arizona, while adding 139 receptions for 1,128 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

The high-water mark for Conner in Arizona was his first season with the Cardinals, when he rushed for 15 touchdowns in 2021. While he hasn’t reached double-digit scores since, he’s been more than serviceable, and the marriage is obviously something both sides wanted to continue over the next two seasons.

In 2024, James Conner has amassed 705 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns and 288 receiving yards throughout the Cardinals’ 6-5 season thus far. Arizona is making a beeline for the NFC West, and the running back will be a big piece of their ascension if they can get it done.