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The Arizona Cardinals are keeping one of their better offensive weapons around for a few years. The organization and star running back James Conner have agreed to a two-year contract extension.
The deal is for $19 million. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news of the contract on social media.
Compensation update: Cardinals are rewarding James Conner with a two-year, $19 million extension, per source. https://t.co/ful9xd00fE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2024
Conner was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season, but now he will remain in Arizona for the next few years. The veteran running back has emerged as one of the more critical pieces to the Arizona offensive attack, leading to this extension.
The Cardinals have been happy with the production that Conner has brought since he arrived in Arizona. His demeanor embodies what the Cardinals want from their players and it has resulted in him getting a nice paycheck from the team.
Despite his age, the Cardinals believe that he can continue to be productive for them. Oftentimes when a running back hits the age of 30, teams are more wary of giving them any new deal.
However, Conner has proven that he can still give them incredible impact while on the field. Conner has spent four seasons in Arizona, including this current 2024 year.
For the season, Conner has racked up 705 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, he has caught 29 passes for 288 yards and no touchdowns.
Conner is the heart and soul of the offense as the Cardinals play much better when he produces effectively. Arizona is 5-1 this season when Conner reaches at least 100 scrimmage yards and only 1-4 when he fails to hit that number.
Arizona currently owns a record of 6-5 and is fighting to win the NFC West division. The team has shocked a lot of people with their play this year and they are attempting to get themselves back to the postseason.
Currently, the Cardinals are tied with the rival Seattle Seahawks for the division lead. But Seattle took down Arizona last week, giving them a slight edge in the race, for now.
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The two teams do meet up again next week, with the game shifting over to Glendale, Arizona. If the Cardinals can win that contest, it could go a long way in eventually winning the division and getting a home playoff game.
For more on the Cardinals and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
About the writer
Matt Levine works as a contributing writer for Newsweek based in California. His expertise is in covering the NBA but ... Read more