The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history.

After 18 straight seasons of 8+ wins, longtime head coach Mike Tomlin is out and Mike McCarthy is in, signaling a new era of Steelers football. With questions surrounding the quarterback position and the Aaron Rodgers situation still unresolved, Pittsburgh must also address offensive weapons in 2026 NFL free agency.

While wide receiver help is needed even after acquiring DK Metcalf, upgrading the running back room could be just as important. That is why a James Conner reunion with the Pittsburgh Steelers makes real sense.

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In a recent article from NBC, they broke this down as to why it would make sense to cut James Conner:

“$7.6M saved – $2.3M dead cap, Conner will be 32 just after the draft and has never played a full NFL season. He just missed most of 2025 with an ankle injury and carries very little in the way of dead cap for the upcoming year. On a team resigned to a rebuild, keeping Conner doesn’t make much sense.”

James Conner returning to Pittsburgh would be one of the most compelling free agency storylines of the 2026 NFL offseason. Conner played his college football at Pitt, was drafted by the Steelers in 2017, and understands the culture and physical identity of the franchise.

Pairing Conner with Jaylen Warren would give Pittsburgh a powerful and balanced backfield in a run-heavy AFC North division. With the Arizona Cardinals potentially entering a rebuild, Conner could become available either through release or cap-related restructuring, opening the door for a Steelers reunion.

From Arizona’s perspective, the Cardinals are facing uncertainty around quarterback Kyler Murray and the overall direction of the roster. Trade rumors and speculation about a roster reset suggest the franchise could shift toward a youth movement in 2026.

If that happens, moving on from a 30-year-old running back like James Conner would make financial and strategic sense. Although Conner has been the centerpiece of the Cardinals’ offense over the past four seasons, rebuilding teams typically prioritize younger, long-term assets.

In 2025, Conner’s season was unfortunately cut short due to a foot injury suffered in Week 3. He played in just three games and missed 14 games during the regular season.

Before the injury, he recorded 32 carries for 95 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, along with eight receptions for 38 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. While the limited sample size raises durability concerns, Conner has consistently proven when healthy that he is a physical, downhill runner capable of handling goal-line and short-yardage situations.

For Pittsburgh, the fit makes sense schematically and culturally. The Steelers have embraced a running back by committee approach in recent seasons, which would reduce the workload on Conner compared to his role in Arizona.

Instead of playing 80 to 85 percent of snaps as a workhorse, Conner could operate around 55 to 65 percent, preserving his body and maximizing efficiency. His power running style complements Jaylen Warren’s explosiveness, creating a versatile backfield rotation.

From an NFL free agency strategy standpoint, signing James Conner would be a low-risk, high-reward move for the Steelers. He brings leadership, toughness, red-zone production, and familiarity with the organization. Most importantly, Pittsburgh is not rebuilding. They are retooling to compete immediately. In that context, adding a proven veteran running back with playoff experience and strong locker room presence makes complete sense.

A James Conner return to Pittsburgh would not just be sentimental. It would be a calculated football decision aimed at strengthening the offense, supporting the next quarterback, and reestablishing the Steelers’ physical identity in 2026.

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