That didn’t take long. One day after visiting the Cardinals, running back James Conner agreed to join Kyler Murray & Co. in Arizona (Twitter link via Jay Glazer of FOX Sports). The Cardinals have since confirmed the deal, making the one-year pact official.
Earlier today, we learned that Conner recently underwent surgery to fix a turf toe-type injury. That could help to explain why he was still on the board in mid-April. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t all that serious and Conner is expected to be fully cleared by June.
Conner made his mark in 2018, after emerging from Le’Veon Bell‘s shadow. That year, he rushed for 973 yards on the ground with 12 touchdowns, plus 55 catches for 497 yards. Then, in 2019, he was limited to just 464 yards on the ground and six games, thanks in part to knee and shoulder trouble.
This past year, he was on pace for a 1,000-yard season up until he tested positive for COVID-19 in November. Ultimately, he finished 2020 with 721 yards on the ground and six scores, plus 35 grabs for 215 yards.
The Steelers didn’t show much interest in a reunion, even though Conner always said that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh for the long haul. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to play in warmer weather as he joins Chase Edmonds, Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward, and Khalfani Muhammad in the Cardinals’ running back group. With Conner towards the top, the Cardinals hope to replace the production of Kenyan Drake, who left in free agency to join the Raiders.
Killer deal
As a Steeler fan, I liked Conner. He could never stay healthy, tho.
As a Steelers fan. I loved Connor, love his story, he just couldn’t stay healthy jn the burgh. I was hoping to have him back if we didn’t draft a RB but hope he has great success!!
You know, this team could actually be the best team in the west. I think the division might be between the Cardinals and Rams
As long as Wilson in the west you can’t over look the Seahawks
Do the Steelers have anyone better than him yet?
I get why they are moving on, but not sure why they are moving on without much of a plan.
There’s some very good RB1 types in the draft. Connor might have been asking Pittsburgh for more than what he’d take from another team. At this point, it would be pay to play for the Steelers. Elsewhere he has a shot of a bigger payday after a one year deal. For the Steelers, he’ll always be “just Connor” after LeVeon Bell’s glory years.
I think he wore out his welcome due to his injury history. He hasn’t been reliable. I hope his injuries are behind him.
A couple, not like last year draft.
#gobaltimoreravens
As a Bengal fan , can’t stand any Steeler 🙂 … but Conner ran hard when he was in there … he needs to be used kind of like Tevin Coleman or Gio Bernard …. he can’t take the pounding like a premier back. Best of luck