Could James Conner Be the Next Cap Casualty in Arizona? A Steelers Connection Worth Watching
The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen a fair share of turnover in their backfield over the past few seasons, but 2025 brought a particularly interesting twist. With Najee Harris heading west to join the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers leaned into a new one-two punch: Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
Warren’s rise wasn’t exactly a surprise to fans who’ve watched his steady progression, but Gainwell’s emergence as a free agent steal added a new dynamic to Pittsburgh’s ground game. Together, they formed a backfield that didn’t just survive without Harris-it thrived.
But while Harris was finding his footing in L.A., another familiar name to Steelers fans was facing a different kind of uncertainty: James Conner.
Conner, the former Pitt standout and 2017 third-round pick by Pittsburgh, may be nearing the end of his run in Arizona. After five seasons with the Cardinals, he’s now being mentioned as a potential cap casualty-a tough pill to swallow for a player who’s been one of the emotional leaders in that locker room.
Let’s take a closer look at why Conner’s future in Arizona is suddenly up in the air.
A Fan Favorite with a Fierce Running Style
Conner’s story is well known in Western Pennsylvania. A McDowell High School product and Pitt star who beat Hodgkin lymphoma before making it to the NFL, he quickly became a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
He stepped into the starting role in 2018 when Le’Veon Bell held out, and didn’t look back. He led the Steelers in rushing yards in both 2018 and 2020, and even in 2019-when he split carries almost evenly with Benny Snell Jr.-he still topped the team in rushing.
But after Pittsburgh opted to draft Harris in 2021, Conner found a new home in Arizona. And for a while, it was a perfect fit.
He signed a modest one-year, $1.75 million deal in 2021, then exploded with 15 rushing touchdowns that season-his best single-season mark. That performance earned him a three-year, $21 million extension in 2022, and another two-year, $17 million deal in 2024. He rewarded the Cardinals with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2023 and 2024, proving he still had plenty left in the tank.
But 2025 brought a cruel twist.
The Injury That Changed the Outlook
Conner’s 2025 campaign was derailed almost before it started. A dislocated ankle in September cut his season short after just 32 carries. And now, with the 31-year-old back entering the final stretch of his contract-which runs through 2026-the Cardinals are facing a tough financial decision.
Cutting Conner would save Arizona roughly $8 million in cap space, money that could be used to invest in a younger, more durable option at running back. It’s not about what Conner’s done in the past-his value to the team has never been in question.
He’s widely respected in the locker room, and his punishing running style has been a tone-setter for the Cardinals’ offense. But with Kyler Murray’s future also in flux, Arizona is staring down a potential rebuild.
And that often means making difficult choices about veteran contracts.
What It Means for Pittsburgh Fans
For Steelers fans, Conner’s situation stirs up more than just nostalgia. His journey-from backing up Bell to becoming the face of the backfield, and now potentially facing free agency again-mirrors the ever-evolving nature of the NFL.
Running backs, perhaps more than any other position, face a short shelf life. Even the most beloved players can find themselves on the wrong side of a cap decision.
And while Pittsburgh seems set in the backfield for now with Warren and Gainwell, Conner’s name still carries weight in the Steel City. If he does hit the open market, it’s worth wondering whether a return to his roots could ever be in the cards-even if only in the hearts of fans.
For now, though, all eyes are on Arizona. Conner’s future may be uncertain, but his impact-both in Pittsburgh and in the desert-is undeniable.