Hours before he and the Cardinals boarded a plane to Minnesota, where temperatures will reach ten degrees on Saturday, for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, Conner signed a two-year extension that will keep him in Arizona through the 2026 season. , the team announced. .
A source told ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter that the deal is worth $19 million.
Conner, whose base salary was $4.235 million this season, would become a free agent after this season. His average annual salary of $9.5 million will make him the seventh-highest-paid running back in annual value.
Already with 705 rushing yards, Conner, 29, is on pace for his second consecutive 1,000-yard season; They would be the only two in his eight-year career. He already has four 100-yard games this season and five rushing touchdowns.
Conner has been a key part of Arizona’s offense since arriving in 2021, but he has taken another step in offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense.
“I have complete confidence in James,” coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier this season. “I know Drew does it, the offensive staff and the offense too. It’s an asset that we have that not many people have.
“He does a lot for us, not just in the playing aspect. [but] psychological, leadership and leading by example. This guy got there before anyone else working on his legs today. That’s who he is as a person deep down. You just keep the main thing the main thing, mind your business and work, man. It’s comforting.”
The Cardinals are 5-1 in games when Conner has reached 100 yards from scrimmage, but 1-4 when he hasn’t.
Conner has complemented his 705 rushing yards with 288 receiving yards, giving him 993 yards from scrimmage this season. If he reaches 1,000 yards from scrimmage, he will be the first player in Cardinals history to reach that mark in each of his first four seasons with the team.
Since Conner signed with Arizona in 2021, only five other players have scored more touchdowns than Conner’s 40 in that span.
Conner earned Gannon’s respect in a short time.
Gannon said last offseason that if there’s one player his oldest son should follow and watch, Conner would be among the top options. Gannon has praised Conner’s work ethic on and off the field, noting several times how well Conner takes care of his body throughout the season.
And Conner’s impact on the team goes beyond the coaching staff.
“You can’t put a price on what JC means,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “Now, I could go on and on about him, but he’s a great guy, a great teammate, a great leader, a great player.
“I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves, but the guys in that room understand what it’s like.”
