RB James Conner is Arizona Cardinals' most notable potential cut

Glendale, Ariz. – When the Arizona Cardinals begin reshaping their roster ahead of the 2026 league year, the most recognizable name on the chopping block could also be the most logical. Veteran running back James Conner, the club’s unquestioned offensive leader since 2021, is the Cardinals’ lone “notable” cut candidate identified by NFL.com’s Matt Okada as teams around the league start clearing salary-cap space.

Conner, who will turn 31 in May, appeared in only three games during the 2025 season before an ankle injury landed him on injured reserve. In those limited snaps he managed just 3.0 yards per carry and registered a career-worst 3.1 percent explosive-run rate, producing only one run of 10-plus yards. The combination of declining efficiency, health concerns and a $7.5 million cap hit has made the former Pro Bowler a prime release candidate.

Arizona enters the offseason with healthier books than cap-strapped franchises like New Orleans or Minnesota, yet still faces myriad roster holes under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. Moving on from Conner would immediately free up the $7.5 million, money the front office could reinvest in a backfield overhaul. No heir apparent currently sits on the roster, but the front office is expected to prioritize youth and availability after watching Conner miss the vast majority of the schedule.

The decision figures to be easier with a new staff in place. While Conner’s locker-room presence and physical style were valued under previous leadership, LaFleur’s arrival signals a fresh evaluation of every position group. League observers note that Conner’s age, injury history and 2025 productivity slide make a parting of ways increasingly likely.

If released, Conner would leave the Cardinals with 3,807 rushing yards and 46 total touchdowns across five desert seasons, a tenure highlighted by his 2021 Comeback Player of the Year runner-up campaign. For now, his future—and Arizona’s backfield reconstruction—remains one of the franchise’s most pressing offseason storylines.