James Conner went from the “Pitt” to the penthouse, now with Super Bowl contender


James Conner is grateful to be a Cardinal


… from last-place team to Super Bowl contender


When James Conner left the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year, little did he know that he would have an opportunity to play for a Super Bowl contender. 


However, that is what has transpired as the former Pitt Panther running back who has battled his way back from cancer was given a chance to compete with the Arizona Cardinals. He was going from a team that finished 12-4 last year but is now mired in last place in the AFC-North, something that he could not have envisioned.


Not only has Conner received an opportunity to wear a uniform of a Super Bowl contender, he is also contributing very well. 


“Unsung heroes paying dividends”


Conner knew when he signed with Arizona that he would be playing behind their starting running back Chase Edmonds, but he has been one of a number of offensive players who have been contributors.


After starting at 4-0, Sports Illustrated wrote this about Conner and the others,


the Cardinals have seen dividends already paid out from contributors that can sometimes be afterthoughts when it comes to national accolades. 


Running back James Conner once saw that spotlight, as the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back gained notoriety after filling in for Le'Veon Bell, who was determined to hold out for a new contract during the 2018 season.


Conner emerged as a prominent back in Pittsburgh that year. Conner gained 973 rushing yards in 12 games, reaching the end zone 12 times while also adding 55 receptions for 497 yards and one score as a receiver. 


Yet, the cycle of NFL running backs acts viscously, and Conner quickly found himself out of the starting position in favor of younger and cheaper options. 


Arizona provided a second opportunity for Conner, who signed with the Cardinals on a one-year, $1.75 million deal this past offseason. Conner, knowing Edmonds was already established in the backfield, wasn't expected to significantly contribute with the ball in his hands. 


Donnie Druin, “Cardinals Unsung Heroes Paying Dividends,” Sports Illustrated, October 3, 2021


Reunited with his coach


In Arizona, Conner was recommended by his former position coach with the Steelers, James Saxon, who directed Conner three years ago,


In Arizona, Conner will be reunited with position coach James Saxon, who held that job with the Steelers in 2018 when Conner rushed for a career-high 973 yards and was selected for the Pro Bowl.


“It will be awesome to link back up with Coach Sax,” Conner said. “He’s more than a coach for me.”


Joe Rutter, “Running back James Conner exits Steelers, signs as free agent with Cardinals,” Tribune-Review, April 13, 2021


After seven games with the Cardinals, Conner has rushed for 336 yards and six touchdowns, an average of 3.8 a carry. On Sunday, he averaged 6.4 yards a carry with 64 yards on ten carries in the win over the Texans. 


He also has five catches for 30 yards from outstanding QB Kyler Murray, one of the Cardinals’ superstars. 


However, what is surprising from the team stats is that he has almost as much yardage as Edmonds has, 397 yards on 68 carries but no touchdowns. 


A pleasant surprise for Cardinal fans


Conner was intended to be an afterthought, though he hoped for more. Now, that has been the case, and while the season is not yet half over, it will be interesting to see how this plays out for the former Pitt Panthers,


Yet in Arizona's electric offensive start to the season, Conner has indeed found himself as one of many key pieces to the Cardinals puzzle. He is currently averaging 13.25 carries and has made the most of his opportunities in recent games. 


Conner has found the end zone four times in each of Arizona's recent two victories over the Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, scoring multiple times as a ball-carrier in back-to-back weeks for the first time since his magical 2018 campaign. 


Conner looks refreshed, and the Cardinals have taken notice. Arizona has utilized Conner not only as a player who can rotate with Edmonds whenever needed, but more specifically in short-yardage and goal-to-go scenarios. 


Conner's physical presence has been nothing short of valuable through four undefeated weeks in Arizona, 


Donnie Druin, SI, October 3, 2021


His only promise to the the Cardinals was this,


“I can’t predict nothing, but what I can guarantee is I’m going to come in and work day-in and day-out, put my head down and grind,” Conner said. “I’m in it for the long haul, a 17-game season, and I’m looking forward to it” …


Conner was declared free of cancer in 2016 — he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma — and he returned for a final season at Pitt before being selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 draft.


“I’ve been through things before. I’m going to go through things in the future,” Conner said. “The only thing I can do is continue to get my body ready, which is what I do year-in and year-out.”


Joe Rutter, Tribune-Review, April 13, 2021


Somehow, I will always be rooting for James Conner. 


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