NFL Rumors: James Conner and Cardinals agree to $19M contract to avoid 2025 free agency | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

On the back of a successful season for the Arizona Cardinals, who are vying for a spot in the NFC playoffs, James Conner was rewarded with a contract extension.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Conner has agreed to a two-year, $19 million deal that will keep him under contract with the Cardinals through the 2026 season.

The timing of the deal allowed Conner to receive a slight increase over the two-year, $18.3 million extension David Montgomery received from the Detroit Lions in October.

Conner has performed consistently throughout his career, especially since he joined the Cardinals as a free agent in April 2021. He set a career high with 18 touchdowns in his first season in Arizona.

Conner averaged a career-best 5.0 yards per carry during the 2023 season. He also broke 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.

In 11 games with the Cardinals this season, Conner leads the team in touches (195), yards from scrimmage (993) and is second in total touchdowns (five). The two-time Pro Bowler is almost certain to reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the fourth straight season.

Conner is an integral part of a Cardinals rushing attack that ranks sixth in the NFL at 140.3 yards per game.

Arizona has been a pleasant surprise with a 6-5 record this season. The offense as a whole has been inconsistent, but the dynamic with Conner and Kyler Murray in the backfield is one of the main reasons they have been successful.

Conner will celebrate his new contract by trying to help the Cardinals in Sunday’s NFC showdown against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium.

The Cardinals (6-5) enter Week 13 one game behind the Washington Commanders in the win column for the final NFC playoff spot.