Tag: james conner

Steelers receive bad news ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have any compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, limiting their chances to add another hidden gem.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have proven themselves adept at selecting elite talent with compensatory picks in the NFL Draft—and it has now been confirmed that they will receive none of these selections.

Some of the biggest home-run hits from the compensatory picks made by the Pittsburgh Steelers include legends like Hines Ward, elite playmakers like RB James Conner and OLB Alex Highsmith, and rising stars like WR Calvin Austin III. It is nothing short of bad news that the Steel City will have no opportunity to add to this list in 2025.

While the compensatory pick system is complicated, it can typically be summed up by determining whether a team lost more free agents than they signed in an offseason—which the Pittsburgh Steelers did not in 2024.

While Pittsburgh’s 2024 NFL Draft class proved that GM Omar Khan and the Steelers’ front office are more than capable of finding elite talent throughout all seven rounds, it is troubling that the team will be without any compensatory picks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Who was the Cardinals’ MVP in 2024?

The Cards Wire writers make their picks for team MVP for 2024.

The Arizona Cardinals are in their offseason and looking ahead to 2025.

But while we are in the offseason, it is time to look back at the 2024 season and give some recognitions for player performances.

On the podcast, we discussed player awards and superlatives. Now we will put our picks in written form.

We begin with the team’s MVP for 2024.

Who was the Cardinals’ most valuable player? Howard Balzer and I give our picks.

2024 Arizona Cardinals MVP picks

Jess Root: RB James Conner

Conner was the on-field heart and soul of the offense and is arguably the most important player inside the locker room. As Conner did in games, so did the Cardinals, as he played in a career-high 16 games and ran for over 1,000 for the second consecutive season, rushing for a career-high 1,094 yards and gaining a career-high 1,508 yards from scrimmage.

The local chapter of the PFWA honored Conner as co-MVP with Budda Baker, but, for me, Conner’s value on the field was more impactful. When he had big games, the Cardinals won.

Howard Balzer: RB James Conner

The 16 games Conner played were the most games in his career, although he made it through only four snaps in Week 17 after injuring his knee the week before against the Carolina Panthers. He was on his way to a monster game with 111 rushing yards on 12 carries and three receptions for 47 before the injury occurred during the first possession of the third quarter.

Still, Conner was the heart and soul of the offense with 1,094 rushing yards (4.6 average) and eight TDs along with 47 receptions on 55 targets for 414 yards and one score. The Cardinals were 4-2 in the six games in which he rushed for at least 100 yards. His 1,508 yards from scrimmage was 11th-most in the NFL and was 59 yards behind Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, who was seventh.

Conner finished the season at 3,668 rushing yards with the Cardinals, good for fourth-most in club history. He will begin the 2025 season 195 yards behind Jim Otis. With 37 rushing touchdowns, Conner is tied for second-most in club history with Wayne Morris and is nine behind Ottis Anderson.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Watch: Aaron Donald had a blast celebrating Rams’ win right in front of James Conner

Rams legend Aaron Donald was in a suite with Cardinals RB James Conner and he sure let him know which team won on Monday night

Aaron Donald made the trip to Arizona to see the Los Angeles Rams take on the Minnesota Vikings and he had to be thrilled with what he watched. Not only did the Rams trounce the Vikings, 27-9, to advance to the next round, but the defense put on a show for him.

Los Angeles sacked Sam Darnold nine times, tying an NFL playoff record, and landed 12 hits on the quarterback in what was a defensive beatdown at State Farm Stadium.

Donald actually rented a suite with Cardinals running back James Conner, his former college teammate at Pitt, and he made sure to rub in the Rams’ win. He posted a couple of videos of himself celebrating in Conner’s face, living it up in the Cardinals’ building.

“Rams win. I’m calling it with a minute and 53 seconds left. Rams win,” Donald said before turning the camera to Conner. “Who won tonight? Rams win. Whose house? Rams house!”

Donald added that he’s “proud of them boys,” which has to be awesome for any player to hear coming from an all-time great like No. 99.

Up next for the Rams are the Eagles, a road game in Philadelphia. Donald seemed to bring them some good vibes by being in the house Monday night so hopefully he’s there in Philly on Sunday, too.

Will Steelers make another James Conner mistake with Najee Harris?

The Steelers risk repeating their mistake of letting James Conner walk as Najee Harris faces an uncertain future with the team.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers understand the grass isn’t always greener when it comes to acquiring new running backs, why is the team about to make another James Conner-sized mistake?

Conner spent four years with the Black and Gold—but only three years as a starter—and during this time, he accumulated 3,265 all-purpose yards. The Steelers allowed him to hit free agency in favor of drafting RB Najee Harris out of Alabama with the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Conner then signed with the Arizona Cardinals and proved the Steelers wrong for letting him go—producing 4,922 total yards. He was also slightly more efficient with each rushing attempt in Arizona, averaging 4.4 ypc compared to his 4.3 ypc with Pittsburgh.

Similar to Conner, Harris is seemingly on his way out of Pittsburgh once the 2024 postseason concludes. He will have accumulated 4,312 rushing yards on 1,097 attempts—resulting in 3.9 ypc.

Harris’ rushing inefficiencies can easily be blamed on having an incompetent offensive coordinator for four years—but just like with Conner, the Steelers organization would rather start fresh than look themselves in the mirror.

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James Conner, Budda Baker, Michael Wilson honored by local media

The Arizona chapter of the PFWA named James Conner and Budda Baker co-MVPs and named Michael Wilson the season’s “good guy” with the media.

With the coming end to the 2024 season, the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America have made their end-of-season player awards. Each year, local reporters vote on the Lloyd Herberg MVP Award for the Arizona Cardinals and for the Steve Schoenfeld Good Guy Award.

The team MVP is for play on the field and impact to the team. The Good Guy award is honoring a player for his work, cooperation and insight with media members.

This year, two players were named co-MVPs: running back James Conner and safety Budda Baker. Baker is the team MVP for the second time, the other time being in 2022. He was named to his seventh Pro Bowl this week and for the sixth consecutive year.

Conner has over 1,000 yards rushing for the second consecutive season, reaching career-highs with 1,094 rushing yards and 1,508 yards from scrimmage.

Second-year receiver Michael Wilson was honored with the Good Guy award. Wilson has always been insightful and open all season when speaking to reporters either during the week or after games.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

RB Michael Carter signed to active roster as James Conner placed on IR

Conner’s season ends after 16 games, 1,094 rushing yards and 1,508 total yards from scrimmage.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon ruled out running back James Conner for the final game of the season when he addressed reporters Wednesday before practice.

Conner season has officially ended, as the Cardinals placed him on injured reserve.

In a move that should surprise nobody, they signed running back Michael Carter from the practice squad to the active roster. Carter rushed for 70 yards on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams and will become the presumed starter in Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Cardinals now have three running backs on injured reserve: Conner, rookie Trey Benson, who was placed on IR earlier this week, and Emari Demercado, who has been on IR for a couple of weeks.

Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the only running backs on the active roster.

They also have Tony Jones Jr. and Hassan Hall on the practice squad. Jones will likely be elevated to the active roster to play on Sunday.

Conner’s season ends setting career-highs in games played (16), rushing yards (1,094) and yards from scrimmage (1,508). He scored nine total touchdowns (eight rushing, one receiving) and averaged 4.6 yards per rush, the second-highest average of his career.

Conner is signed for two more seasons after agreeing to a contract extension during the season.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner out in Week 18 vs. 49ers

Conner’s knee injury will keep him out of the Cardinals’ final game of the season against the 49ers.

The Arizona Cardinals will not have running back James Conner available in their final game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday that Conner will miss the game after reinjuring his knee on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.

With rookie Trey Benson placed on injured reserve on Tuesday and Emari Demercado already on injured reserve, DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on the active roster.

They have Michael Carter, Tony Jones Jr. and Hassan Hall on the practice squad.

We can expect Carter and Jones to either be elevated to the active roster or signed to it by Saturday. While Gannon would not say whether Carter would get the start, he noted that “he’ll get a lot of carries” and that “all those guys will have a role.”

Conner finishes the season playing in a career-high 16 games and rushing for a career-high 1,094 yards and gaining a career-high 1,508 yards from scrimmage.

Carter had 13 carries for 70 yards against the Rams in his first game action of the season.

The Cardinals and 49ers play at State Farm Stadium Sunday at 2:25 p.m. Arizona time.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner injured same knee vs. Rams

Conner left the game against the Rams after taking a shot to the same knee he injured in Week 16.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner entered Week 17 with a knee injury and was questionable to play. He started against the Los Angeles Rams and had four rushes for only four yards before coming out and not returning.

It was the same knee.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon explained on Monday to reporters that Conner “took a shot in the same knee” and that is why he came out. He said everything was good for him to play.

The plan is the same this week. Gannon said they would “do what’s best for him and then what’s best for the team.” If Conner is healthy enough to play and it is good for the team that he does, he will.

But Gannon noted with the injuries that there were, calling them “bumps and bruises,” he would know more later in the week.

The Cardinals first injury report of the final week of the season will come out Wednesday afternoon.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner hurt in 1st half vs. Rams

Conner left the game against the Rams in the first half with a knee injury after four carries for four yards.

This post has been updated to include new information. 

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner entered Week 17 less than 100%. He had a knee injury that limited him in practice all week and ended his day last Sunday in the third quarter.

After four carries in the first half for only four yards, he exited the game with the same knee injury.

It was announced he was questionable to return.

He did not return to the game.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

James Conner active, Trey Benson inactive for Cardinals vs. Rams

As expected, Conner will be in the lineup, but Michael Carter will replace the injured Benson vs. the Rams.

The Arizona Cardinals, as reported for the last couple of days, will have starting running back James Conner in the lineup. The team released its inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday for their game on the road against the Los Angeles Rams and Conner was not included.

He was questionable with a knee injury he suffered last Sunday.

Also set to play is starting left guard Evan Brown, questionable with a neck injury.

However, rookie running back Trey Benson, questionable with an ankle injury that cause him to miss in Week 16, will not suit up. He was deactivated.

The rest of the inactives on the list were expected.

Cardinals Week 17 inactive list

  • S Jammie Robinson
  • S Joey Blount
  • RB Trey Benson
  • LB Milo Eifler
  • LB Benton Whitley
  • TE Travis Vokolek
  • WR Xavier Weaver

Blount was ruled out with an injury to his ribs.

Aside from him and Blount, the rest are healthy scratches. Robinson and Whitley have not been with the team long. Eifler isn’t needed as all four of their regular inside linebackers are set to play.

Defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga is active for the second straight week after three weeks of not dressing.

Rookie offensive tackle Christian Jones is active for the first time in his NFL career and serves as the backup swing tackle to Kelvin Beachum and Jackson Barton, both starting to replace starters Paris Johnson and Jonah Williams, both of whom are on injured reserve.

Michael Carter was elevated from the practice squad and will fill Benson’s role to back up Conner and could have a bigger role because Conner is not 100%.

Andre Chachere was elevated from the practice squad to fill Blount’s role on special teams.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.