James Conner
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NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner agreed to a contract revision with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t get a shot at potentially bringing back running back James Conner after all.
Identified as a cut candidate early in the NFL offseason, Conner agreed to revise his contract with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. That will allow him to return to the team for the 2026 season.
Conner has one year remaining on the 2-year, $19 million extension he signed in November 2024.
“The Cardinals and two-time Pro Bowl RB James Conner have agreed to a revised contract to keep him in Arizona for 2026, sources say,” wrote Pelissero on X.
“Conner played just three games last season because an ankle injury. But he’ll be back at age 31.”
In his original contract, Conner was poised to make $6.39 million and have a $9.83 million cap hit.
The revisions to the contract remain unknown. But the changes are enough to prevent the Cardinals from releasing Conner for cap savings.
Arizona has $48 million in cap space according to Spotrac. But the Cardinals could have created more room with a Conner release.
NFL free agency begins with the legal tampering period at 12 pm ET on Monday. Players can begin signing with their new teams at 4 pm ET on Wednesday.
Conner has played the past five seasons for Arizona after beginning his career with the Steelers. When analysts predicted the Cardinals could release Conner, pundits suggested the Steelers as a potential destination for the veteran running back.
The 30-year-old was a very popular player for the Steelers from 2017-20. He also starred as a college football player for the Pitt Panthers.