After suffering a season-ending injury in 2025, the Arizona Cardinals might have no other choice but to cut long-time veteran running back James Conner. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end for the Cardinals, and with the team expected to cut former starting quarterback Kyler Murray, Conner could follow. A broken foot for Conner limited him to playing only three games this past season, and he’s turning 31 this year. The Cardinals are building a new coaching staff, so it makes sense why the team could consider releasing the veteran, who still has plenty of gas to sign elsewhere on at least a one-year contract.
Rebuilding Cardinals Could Be Forced to Cut Two-Time Pro Bowler James Conner
While it might be hard to imagine Conner playing anywhere else after being with the Cardinals for the last five years, they have young running backs, Michael Carter and Emari Demercado, who could battle it out for the starting job. This doesn’t mean that Conner’s career is over, but he will need to work back to his old self if a team wants to give him a starting role again. It would be surprising if a team offers him a starting job, but he should at least get a backup role.
Originally selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the former Pittsburgh product has had a promising outlook. After spending the first three years with the Steelers, Conner established himself as an adequate downhill runner, recording 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career in 2023. Unfortunately, injuries continue to haunt him, but these three teams could save him for one last possible run if he can stay healthy.
Possible Fits
Dallas Cowboys
If the Dallas Cowboys lose Javonte Williams, this means the team will need to search for a new starting running back. Unfortunately for this offense, the Cowboys haven’t had a long-term adequate running back since Ezekiel Elliott. While they have Jaydon Blue waiting for his moment, he isn’t ready to take the next step.
However, they probably won’t have the financial means to compensate a contract for the best available running back in free agency. Williams should get plenty of interest from teams this offseason, and once he leaves, the Cowboys should look into Conner if he becomes available. He isn’t the solution to the Cowboys’ ground game woes, but given his recent production and potential upside, the team could get him for cheap.
Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, the Ravens are another team that could use a new running back. With John Harbaugh gone, the team could change things drastically for Lamar Jackson and the offense. While Derrick Henry’s job is safe for now, he only has one more year left on his contract.
Henry said he can continue playing, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he regresses this upcoming season. This means the Ravens should add Conner as a last-minute free agency addition to help Keaton Mitchell in the backfield.
Kansas City Chiefs
With Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco likely gone, the Kansas City Chiefs will need to rebuild their entire offensive ground game. They may have a young star in Brashard Smith, who could emerge as a potential, but the Chiefs can’t begin the regular season with him alone as the lone man in the backfield. Conner isn’t the most efficient anymore, but the team doesn’t have the cap space to afford a better option, and the Chiefs have a history of revitalizing veteran talent either way.