The Arizona Cardinals are heading into the 2026 offseason with some big questions in their backfield - and even bigger decisions to make.
James Conner has been a steady presence for Arizona when healthy, but that’s become a big caveat. The veteran running back is coming off a season where he appeared in just three games due to a significant ankle injury, adding to a growing list of durability concerns. And with Conner turning 31 in May and entering the final year of his contract, the Cardinals could be looking at a tough - but necessary - call: moving on from their longtime RB1.
If that happens, the depth chart gets thin in a hurry. Rookie Trey Benson remains a bit of an unknown, and behind him, the cupboard could be bare.
Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and Emari Demercado are all pending free agents. That leaves Arizona with a potential need for a proven, every-down back - someone who can stabilize the offense and fit into new head coach Mike LaFleur’s scheme.
Enter Travis Etienne.
The Jacksonville Jaguars running back could be one of the most intriguing names on the free-agent market this offseason. Spotrac projects Etienne’s next deal to come in around $13.6 million over two years - a number that feels more like a bargain than a reach for a player of his caliber. And with Jacksonville facing cap constraints and having added Bhayshul Tuten in last year’s draft, Etienne hitting the open market is far from a stretch.
For Arizona, the fit makes a lot of sense.
LaFleur brings with him offensive DNA from Sean McVay’s system - a scheme that thrives on outside zone runs and creative backfield usage. Last season, the Rams ran the eighth-most outside runs in the league, averaging an impressive 4.9 yards per carry on those plays.
That’s right in Etienne’s wheelhouse. Since entering the league, he’s posted a 90.5 PFF rushing grade on outside runs - a number that speaks to his explosiveness in space and ability to turn the corner with authority.
Etienne isn’t just a scheme fit, though. He’s a three-down back with production to back it up.
He’s coming off a season where he racked up 1,399 yards from scrimmage - 1,107 on the ground and another 292 through the air - while finding the end zone 13 times. That kind of versatility is exactly what Arizona needs, especially if Benson is still developing into a consistent contributor.
Durability? He checks that box, too. Etienne has missed just two games in four seasons, a notable stat in a league where running backs often struggle to stay on the field.
Now, there’s been some talk about a potential Etienne-Conner tandem, but that feels like a long shot. Etienne is likely looking for a starting role, not a timeshare. And if Conner is released, the Cardinals would have both the opportunity and the cap space - projected at $42.1 million - to make a serious run at Etienne.
From Arizona’s perspective, this wouldn’t just be a replacement move. It would be an upgrade.
Etienne brings more speed, more versatility, and more long-term upside than the aging Conner. Pairing him with LaFleur’s offensive creativity could give the Cardinals a dynamic new identity on the ground - something they’ve lacked in recent years.
If Etienne does hit free agency, expect Arizona to be among the first teams to make the call. And if they land him? That’s a move that could reshape their offense in a hurry.