James Conner, Arizona Cardinals agree to 3-year contract

The NFL’s second-leading touchdown getter on the ground is returning to the Valley.

The Arizona Cardinals and running back James Conner have agreed on a three-year deal, the team announced Monday. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is worth $21 million with $13.5 million guaranteed and has the potential to grow to a maximum of $25.5 million.

The news comes just after the legal tampering window opened at 9 a.m. MST. Conner cannot sign his new deal until the start of the new league year on Wednesday.

In a timeshare with Chase Edmonds, Conner trailed only Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor this past season in rushing touchdowns with 15. He also showed off his ability as a pass catcher, hauling in 37 of his 39 targets for 375 yards and three scores.

James Conner returns to the Cardinals backfield after leading the NFL with 15 rushing TD in the red zone last season.

» Conner (2021): 59.5% rushing success rate in the red zone (5th in NFL, min. 25 red zone carries) https://t.co/dN558uJpYl pic.twitter.com/l5pqOi4qEx

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 14, 2022

For his efforts, he was named to his second career Pro Bowl.

Outside of his play, Conner brought a ton of energy to team and was another veteran voice in the locker room.

The 6-foot-1, 233 pounder arrived to Arizona last offseason on a one-year deal worth $1.75 million after spending the past four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While the Cardinals and Conner are set for a reunion, the same can’t be said for his running mate in Edmonds.

Per his agent, Edmonds is taking his talents to the Miami Dolphins on a two-year, $12.6 million deal that includes $6.1 million guaranteed.

The Cardinals stayed busy leading up to the legal tampering window, agreeing on a three-year deal with tight end Zach Ertz on Sunday. The Cardinals also restructured offensive lineman Justin Pugh’s contract that keeps him in the desert through 2022 and frees up some cap space.

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