James Conner

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		110	6,065	60	4.4
2025		3	95	1	3.0
2024		16	1,094	8	4.6
2023		13

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

James Conner's one-year, $3M deal with Arizona represents a clear steal for a Cardinals team that desperately needed backfield stability. Getting a solid starter at running back for just $3M AAV is exceptional value in today's inflated market, where even middling backs routinely command $5-7M annually. At 29, Conner isn't the explosive player who broke out in Pittsburgh, but his 1,040 rushing yards last season proved he can still handle a featured workload when healthy. The contract structure is perfectly crafted for both sides — Arizona gets a proven commodity without long-term commitment, while Conner gets guaranteed money and a chance to rebuild his market value. This B+ CVI reflects smart roster management, giving the Cardinals a legitimate rushing threat at a fraction of what comparable production typically costs in free agency.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where James's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

James Conner is a 9-year veteran and former second-round pick who built a reputation as a physical, touchdown-hungry back during his Pittsburgh and Arizona years. Entering his age-31 season, he earns a C+ overall grade — a reflection of a declining current campaign rather than a dismissal of his career body of work. Among veteran backs in this stage of their careers, Conner remains a recognizable name but is no longer a featured starter by NFL standards. The numbers tell a tough story this season. His 2.97 yards per carry sits well below the NFL average of 4.10, and his 31.7 rush yards per game falls nearly 25 yards short of the league average of 55.0. The one bright spot is red-zone efficiency — his 0.33 rush touchdowns per game nearly matches the NFL average of 0.35, reinforcing his identity as a goal-line weapon even as his between-the-tackles production fades. His grade trajectory is equally concerning, sliding from a B+ in 2023 to a B- in 2024 and now bottoming out at a D in 2025. At 31, the window for a meaningful statistical resurgence is narrow, and Arizona's backfield figures to trend younger. Watch for whether he retains a short-yardage role — that touchdown efficiency is the last leverage he holds for roster value heading into 2026.

How James Compares at the Position

James Conner ranks 13th of 181 graded running backs by performance. That slots James between Christian Mccaffrey (B-) just ahead and D'andre Swift (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

James Conner enters the 2026 offseason in an uncertain position after a foot injury ended his 2025 campaign prematurely, raising legitimate durability concerns for a running back now in his ninth NFL season. The fact that he reworked his deal to remain with the Cardinals signals mutual interest in continuity, but the reduced contract value of $3.0M per year reflects a roster valuing him as a complementary piece rather than a featured back. Trade rumors linking Conner to Green Bay added noise to his offseason narrative, though the tone of those headlines was speculative rather than dismissive, suggesting he retains some market value around the league. The broader organizational turbulence in Arizona — most notably the release of Kyler Murray — casts a shadow over the entire Cardinals backfield, making it difficult for Conner to generate positive momentum independent of team-level uncertainty. Heading into 2026, media and fan perception of Conner is that of a respected veteran whose best seasons are likely behind him, with his role and health representing the two primary question marks that will define his final chapter in the NFL.