A Key 2026 Offseason Decision for The Arizona Cardinals Star Running Back
The Arizona Cardinals face a difficult offseason decision regarding their star running back, James Conner. The two-time Pro Bowler’s contract accounts for between 9.8 and 10.25 million dollars in much-needed cap space, placing added weight on the front office’s evaluation. Conner has also battled injuries throughout his career, most recently suffering a season-ending foot injury that limited him to just three games before he was placed on injured reserve. With his 31st birthday approaching, the Cardinals must determine whether to move on from him, restructure his deal, or keep him in Arizona’s backfield.
Conner has provided valuable production in Arizona, with his best season coming in 2021. He finished that campaign with 752 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, along with 375 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. His 18 total touchdowns marked a career high, led the NFL that season, and tied the Cardinals’ single-season franchise record, helping push the team to its first playoff appearance in five years. In the 2025 season, Conner recorded 164 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 39 receiving yards before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week three against the San Francisco 49ers. He has long been effective in short-yardage situations, an area where the Cardinals noticeably struggled after his absence. There is little doubt that the veteran can still contribute, yet concerns surrounding his durability and age may prompt Arizona to explore alternative options.
The physical runner is entering the second year of his two-year contract extension. If the Cardinals were to release Conner, they would save an estimated eight million dollars in cap space while absorbing only 2.25 million in dead money, funds that could be redirected toward strengthening a defense in need of reinforcements. Arizona also has a young RB2 option in Trey Benson, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week four against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks but showed flashes of potential during his brief four-game stretch. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Cardinals could also consider selecting Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. Love, the 2025 Doak Walker Award winner who finished third in Heisman voting, recorded 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in his final season at Notre Dame, along with 280 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. His 21 total touchdowns set a university single-season record and further solidified his status as a premier prospect.
Arizona once again finds itself facing a pivotal offseason decision: whether to part ways with a proven veteran who has demonstrated he can produce at a high level, or invest in a younger, cost-controlled option while freeing up cap space to address other needs. The question remains whether an aging running back can recover from another significant injury and return to peak form. With major organizational changes underway, including staff turnover and persistent speculation surrounding Kyler Murray’s future, the Cardinals may be preparing for a broader roster reset. These are the complex choices that will shape Arizona’s direction heading into the 2026 offseason.
