Veteran running back James Conner will remain with the Arizona Cardinals after agreeing to a revised contract for the 2026 season. Conner, who had been set for a $9.8 million salary cap hit and $7.9 million in total earnings, accepted a pay cut to stay with the team.
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting also reportedly agreed to restructure his deal, lowering his previously scheduled $9.2 million cap hit and $7.1 million salary to continue playing in Arizona.
With Michael Carter, Emari Demercado, and Bam Knight all set to become free agents, Conner remains alongside Trey Benson and Corey Kiner as returning running backs from last season. Although Demercado was not tendered an offer as a restricted free agent, he could still return.
Conner has played five seasons with the Cardinals since joining as a free agent in 2021 after four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He ranks fourth in franchise history with 3,763 rushing yards and is second only to Ottis Anderson with 38 rushing touchdowns.
His impact extended beyond statistics; Conner has been recognized as a leader on and off the field for Arizona. “I just love playing football,” he said before suffering a season-ending ankle injury early last year.
Conner produced two 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024 under coach Jonathan Gannon but was limited to just 95 yards on 32 carries before his injury last season. His absence was felt by teammates throughout the locker room.
Murphy-Bunting missed all of last season due to an offseason injury that placed him on the Non-Football Injury list.
The Arizona Cardinals are part of the NFC West division and serve the greater Phoenix area from their home base in Glendale, Arizona (official website). The team is known as one of the oldest continuously operating professional football franchises in the United States (official website) and captured an NFC championship in 2008 (official website).
“I just love playing football,” Conner said.