The Pittsburgh Steelers had an advantageous situation at running back this past season. The blend of Jaylen Warren and free agent bargain Kenneth Gainwell supplanted Najee Harris , who'd left to join the Los Angeles Chargers last offseason.
Harris, who was taken with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, replaced James Conner , the bruising Pitt product who captured Western Pennsylvania's heart for his play and his story. Having spent the last five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals , Conner might end up as a cap casualty soon.
On Monday, The Athletic predicted one player each NFL team might have to part ways with.
"Every offseason decision for the Cardinals starts with Kyler Murray ," Doug Haller wrote . "Assuming they find a trading partner for the 28-year-old quarterback, they still face difficult decisions. Conner is among the biggest. His value during his five years in Arizona is unquestioned. He runs hard. He is among the most respected players in the locker room. But he's also coming off a severe right foot injury that ended his 2025 season after three games.
"Conner, who turns 31 in May, is under contract through the 2026 season. Cutting him would save about $8 million, money the Cardinals could use on a younger replacement."
NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 25: Pittsburg Steelers running back James Conner (30) runs past Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Sharif Finch (56) during a game between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburg Steelers on August 25, 2019, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire)
Conner, who overcame Hodgkin lymphoma while playing at Pitt, signed a one-year, $1.75 million pact with the Cardinals in 2021, then rushed for a career-high 15 touchdowns the following season. He inked a three-year, $21 million extension in 2022, then re-upped again for another two years and $17 million in 2024. Before suffering an ankle dislocation last September — curtailing his go-round after just 32 carries.
Conner began his career as a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and backed up Le'Veon Bell. He became the Steelers' featured tailback in 2018 as Bell sat out the entire season due to a contract dispute.
Conner split carries with Benny Snell Jr. almost down the middle in 2019, but still led Mike Tomlin's team in rushing yards (464). He paced the Steelers with 721 yards on the ground in 2020, then the team opted to go with Harris the next campaign.
A McDowell High School graduate, Conner had 1,000-yard efforts on the ground for the Cardinals in 2023 and 2024.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Former Beloved Steelers Star Could Hit Open Market Soon
Related Headlines
