1,000-Yard Rusher Speaks On NFL Future Entering Contract Year

Veteran running back James Conner is entering the final year of his contract on the heels of a fantastic season. Serving as the focal point of an offense that saw three different starting quarterbacks, the former third-round pick finished the season setting career highs in rushing yards (1,040) and yards per attempt (5.0), and he did it all behind an unremarkable offensive line in his age-28 season. Running backs generally start to slow down in their late 20’s, but Conner’s 2023 suggests he could be an outlier. The running back could get one more big deal, and he has a preferred destination in mind.

Speaking to reporters, James Conner said he hopes to sign a contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals. Saying he wants to “finish my career here,” the running back seems to enjoy life in the desert, but he’s not committing to staying no matter what. Conner added that he understands “it’s a business” and he’ll only get paid if he continues to produce, and he won’t turn down a sizable raise just to stay in Arizona.

James Conner Speaks About New Contract Ahead of Free Agency

It’s hard to project what type of contract James Conner will receive at this point next year. Last time around, the running back signed a three-year, $21 million deal with Arizona, and that came on the heels of a 15-touchdown season. He won’t get that type of money, but the two-time Pro Bowler could earn a decent chunk of change if he continues to play well. After years of depreciating contracts, running backs received sizable pay bumps in 2023’s free agency. Are teams changing how they evaluate the position, or was this simply the product of a subpar running back draft class? Only time will tell for sure, but it could be good news for Conner.

The Cardinals selected Florida State running back Trey Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, which heavily suggests the team is already preparing for life after Conner. James Conner might want another contract with the Cardinals, but if the feeling isn’t mutual, then he’ll likely sign a new deal with one of the following five teams.

Potential Destinations

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have the worst collection of running backs in the NFL. Ezekiel Elliott is a shell of his former self while Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are nothing more than unremarkable journeymen. Even if Dallas selects a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, they could still sign a veteran like James Conner to a two-year contract. Conner can handle starting duties in the short term while moving to a backup role once that prospect is officially ready to handle the spotlight.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a reliable starter in Isiah Pacheco but not much depth behind him. Over the past few seasons, Kansas City has used aging veteran Jerick McKinnon on passing downs and as a change of pace back. The former Viking is still a free agent, which means he’s probably not in Kansas City’s long-term plans. James Conner is an ideal fit for this role next year and it shouldn’t be too hard for the Chiefs to fit his contract under the salary cap.

Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh wants to win games on the ground, but he’ll have a tough time doing that with his current stable of running backs. Gus Edwards is a fine short-yardage back, but J.K. Dobbins will struggle in his return from an Achilles injury. Los Angeles will probably select a running back in 2025, but James Conner would still be a smart add on a one- or two-year contract. He’s a more natural receiver than Edwards and is more of a big-play threat.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are betting that Zack Moss can keep it up in 2024. While he had a strong season filling in for Jonathan Taylor on the Colts, he has been a subpar player for the vast majority of his career. With Chase Brown as the only other notable running back on the roster, this could be a long season for the Bengals run game. James Conner could be an immediate fix as a free agent and shouldn’t break the bank with his next contract, which is a good thing for a team that needs to pay Ja’Marr Chase.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints running back room could look dramatically different at this point next year. Alvin Kamara has the NFL’s highest cap hit among running backs, and the former star has shown signs of slowing down. Jamaal Williams, meanwhile, had a disastrous first campaign in New Orleans and could be on the way out if he can’t improve. Seeing as Kendre Miller did next to nothing as a rookie, the cash-strapped Saints could sign James Conner to a cheap contract to be their short-term starter.

Main Photo: Michael Chow – USA Today Sports