It took James Conner seven seasons to reach the 1,000-yard mark as a running back for the Arizona Cardinals. Now, at 29 years old, he’s determined to make that his baseline performance going forward.
“That’s my floor,” Conner emphasized to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. “I want that to be the lowest rushing total of my career moving forward. There’s a lot of work ahead, but that’s where I aim to start, not where I aim to finish.”
In 2023, despite missing four games due to an MCL sprain, Conner managed to rush for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns on 208 carries. His impressive 5.0 yards per carry was a career high and ranked third among running backs with over 200 carries.
“I don’t take it for granted,” Conner reflected on reaching the 1,000-yard milestone in his seventh season. “Just being able to play the game, and the recognition that comes with it, I appreciate that. It’s a result of a lot of hard work paying off.”
When healthy, Conner was a crucial asset to the Cardinals offense, fitting seamlessly into offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s system. His performance metrics in 2023 underscored his impact: leading the NFL with 3.93 yards after contact per attempt, tying for second with 60 missed tackles forced (behind Travis Etienne), and ranking sixth among running backs with 13 rushes of 15-plus yards.
Looking ahead to 2024, Conner not only aims to maintain his rushing productivity but also plans to increase his involvement in the passing game. Despite catching just 27 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns last season, he believes he can contribute more as a receiver.
“I believe I can make plays in the passing game,” Conner affirmed. “That’s why we’re putting in the work during OTAs, carrying it through training camp and into the season. I’m ready for the challenge.”
The Cardinals added Trey Benson, a third-round draft pick known for his burst and pass-catching abilities, which may impact Conner’s workload. How their roles unfold during camp and preseason will shed light on their roles for the upcoming season.
