For the Arizona Cardinals, the run game came to life in what was a forgettable 2023 season.
Heading into the 2024 season, that running back room, with names like James Conner, Trey Benson and Michael Carter, came in ranked No. 16 in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
"James Conner had a career year in 2023. He earned an 88.4 rushing grade, tallied 1,040 yards and 31 explosive runs, and averaged 0.29 missed tackles forced per attempt and 5.0 yards per carry," writes Trevor Sikkema.
"The Cardinals also added the talented Trey Benson in the draft, so if Conner repeats his 2023 efficiency with Benson now the RB2, they will be in the top half of a lot of rushing statistics."
Conner's career year has set the stage for an extremely productive offseason.
Already national outlets have claimed the Cardinals' offense is headlined by the running back room. That doesn't change here.
The good news is Conner is up for the challenge.
"I want to turn things around out here," Conner said in June, via the team's official website. "We have a great football team, we're coached really well, so we want that to reflect on our record and our play. I want to speak up."
During 2023, Conner let his play do most of the talking. He ran for 1,040 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
It was a career season amid the losing — the silver lining amongst the gray clouds.
With a 2025 free agency looming, Conner has a third NFL contract riding on how he plays in 2024. He is nearing the portion of his career, for most running backs, where they are disregarded under the assumption that better, cheaper, and younger options are available. He knows the only way to avoid that faith is to be part of a winning culture in Arizona. It's a mantle he is willing to take up, he said.
The expectations are there for Conner. It is time to see if he lives up to them.
