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Steelers Trade James Conner: Latest News And Analysis

Trends January 13, 2025

Who was James Conner before getting traded?

James Conner was an American football running back who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a two-time All-American and won the ACC Player of the Year award in 2014. Conner was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he quickly became a key part of their offense. In 2018, he led the Steelers in rushing with 973 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, Conner's time with the Steelers came to an end in 2021, when he was traded to the Cardinals.

Why was James Conner traded?

There were a few reasons why the Steelers traded Conner. First, he was entering the final year of his contract and was set to become a free agent in 2022. The Steelers were not willing to pay Conner the salary he was seeking, so they decided to trade him. Second, the Steelers had a number of other talented running backs on their roster, including Najee Harris and Benny Snell. The Steelers felt that they could get by without Conner, and they were able to get a good return for him in the trade.

What was the return for James Conner?

The Steelers received a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft from the Cardinals in exchange for Conner. The Steelers used the pick to select quarterback Chris Oladokun.

What was the impact of the James Conner trade?

The trade of James Conner had a significant impact on both the Steelers and the Cardinals. For the Steelers, it meant that they would have to rely more heavily on Najee Harris and Benny Snell in the running game. For the Cardinals, it meant that they had added a talented and experienced running back to their offense. Conner quickly became a key part of the Cardinals' offense, and he helped them reach the playoffs in 2021.

James Conner Traded

The trade of James Conner from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 was a significant event for both teams. Here are seven key aspects of the trade:

Running back
Steelers
Cardinals
Fifth-round pick
2022 NFL Draft
Najee Harris
Playoffs

The trade was a result of several factors, including Conner's contract situation and the Steelers' depth at the running back position. The Steelers received a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft in exchange for Conner, who quickly became a key part of the Cardinals' offense. Conner helped the Cardinals reach the playoffs in 2021, while the Steelers relied more heavily on Najee Harris in the running game.

The trade of James Conner was a significant event for both the Steelers and the Cardinals. It highlighted the importance of running backs in the NFL and the value of draft picks. The trade also showed how quickly things can change in the NFL, as Conner went from being a key part of the Steelers' offense to being traded to the Cardinals in a matter of months.

1. Running Back

A running back is a position in American football played by an offensive player who carries the ball. Running backs are responsible for gaining yards by running with the ball and scoring touchdowns. They can also catch passes out of the backfield and block for other players.

Facet 1: The Role of the Running Back
Running backs play a vital role in the success of an offense. They are responsible for carrying the ball and gaining yards, which helps the team move down the field and score points. Running backs can also catch passes out of the backfield, which gives them the ability to be involved in the passing game as well.
Facet 2: The Different Types of Running Backs
There are different types of running backs, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some running backs are power backs, who are known for their strength and ability to run through tackles. Other running backs are speed backs, who are known for their speed and agility. There are also receiving backs, who are known for their ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Facet 3: The Importance of Running Backs in the NFL
Running backs are one of the most important positions in the NFL. They are responsible for carrying the ball and gaining yards, which is essential for success in the NFL. Running backs can also be a threat in the passing game, as they can catch passes out of the backfield and score touchdowns.
Facet 4: James Conner and the Running Back Position
James Conner is a running back who has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. Conner is a versatile running back who can run, catch, and block. He is a key part of the Cardinals' offense and has helped them reach the playoffs in recent years.

Running backs are an essential part of any football team. They are responsible for carrying the ball, gaining yards, and scoring touchdowns. Running backs can also be a threat in the passing game, as they can catch passes out of the backfield and score touchdowns. James Conner is a versatile running back who has played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals. Conner is a key part of the Cardinals' offense and has helped them reach the playoffs in recent years.

2. Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the North Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Steelers are one of the most successful teams in NFL history, having won six Super Bowls and 25 AFC Central Division championships.

James Conner was a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2017 to 2021. He was a key part of the Steelers' offense, helping them reach the playoffs in 2017 and 2020. However, Conner was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 after the Steelers signed Najee Harris in free agency.

The trade of James Conner was a significant event for the Steelers. He was a popular player with the fans and a key part of the team's offense. However, the Steelers felt that they could get by without Conner, and they were able to get a good return for him in the trade.

The Steelers received a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft from the Cardinals in exchange for Conner. The Steelers used the pick to select quarterback Chris Oladokun.

3. Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the West Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Cardinals are one of the oldest teams in the NFL, having been founded in 1898.

Title of Facet 1: James Conner and the Cardinals
James Conner was traded to the Cardinals from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. Conner quickly became a key part of the Cardinals' offense, helping them reach the playoffs in 2021. Conner is a versatile running back who can run, catch, and block. He is a key part of the Cardinals' offense and is expected to be a major contributor in 2022.
Title of Facet 2: The Cardinals' Offense
The Cardinals' offense is one of the most dynamic in the NFL. They have a lot of talented players, including quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and running back James Conner. The Cardinals' offense is expected to be even better in 2022, as they have added some key pieces in free agency and the draft.
Title of Facet 3: The Cardinals' Defense
The Cardinals' defense is also very good. They have a lot of talented players, including cornerback Patrick Peterson, safety Budda Baker, and linebacker Chandler Jones. The Cardinals' defense is expected to be even better in 2022, as they have added some key pieces in free agency and the draft.
Title of Facet 4: The Cardinals' Super Bowl Contenders
The Cardinals are one of the contenders to win the Super Bowl in 2022. They have a lot of talented players on both offense and defense. The Cardinals are also well-coached by Kliff Kingsbury. The Cardinals are expected to be a major threat in the NFC in 2022.

The Cardinals are a team on the rise. They have a lot of talented players and are well-coached. The Cardinals are expected to be a major contender in the NFC in 2022.

4. Fifth-round pick

The fifth-round pick that the Steelers received in exchange for James Conner was a valuable asset for the team. The Steelers used the pick to select quarterback Chris Oladokun, who is considered to be a promising young player. Oladokun is expected to compete for the starting quarterback job in the future, and he could be a valuable addition to the Steelers' offense.

The trade of James Conner was a reminder of the NFL's ever-changing landscape. Even players who are key parts of a team's success can be traded if the team feels that they can get a better return for them elsewhere. The Steelers were able to get a good return for Conner in the trade, and they used the pick to select a player who could be a valuable part of their future.

The trade of James Conner also highlighted the importance of draft picks in the NFL. Draft picks are valuable assets that can be used to build a team. The Steelers were able to use the fifth-round pick they received in the Conner trade to select a player who could be a valuable part of their future. This is a reminder of the importance of draft picks in the NFL, and it is something that all teams should keep in mind when making roster decisions.

5. 2022 NFL Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select the best college football players for their teams. The draft was held from April 28 to 30, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Paradise, Nevada.

Title of Facet 1: The Pittsburgh Steelers' Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a successful 2022 NFL Draft. They selected quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 20th overall pick, and they also added some key pieces on defense. The Steelers are hoping that Pickett can be their franchise quarterback for the future, and they believe that the players they added on defense can help them improve on that side of the ball.
Title of Facet 2: The Arizona Cardinals' Draft
The Arizona Cardinals also had a successful 2022 NFL Draft. They selected wide receiver Marquise Brown with the 25th overall pick, and they also added some key pieces on defense. The Cardinals are hoping that Brown can be a major contributor to their offense, and they believe that the players they added on defense can help them improve on that side of the ball.
Title of Facet 3: The James Conner Trade
The James Conner trade was one of the most significant events of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Steelers traded Conner to the Cardinals for a fifth-round pick. The Steelers were able to get a good return for Conner, and they used the pick to select quarterback Chris Oladokun. Oladokun is a promising young player, and he could be a valuable addition to the Steelers' offense in the future.
Title of Facet 4: The Impact of the Draft on the NFL
The 2022 NFL Draft had a significant impact on the NFL. The draft added some talented players to the league, and it also helped to reshape the rosters of some teams. The draft is an important event for all NFL teams, and it can have a major impact on the future of the league.

The 2022 NFL Draft was a significant event for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. Both teams added some talented players to their rosters, and they are both hoping that the players they added can help them improve in 2022 and beyond.

6. Najee Harris

Najee Harris is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he won the Doak Walker Award and was a unanimous All-American in 2020.

Harris was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He quickly became a key part of the Steelers' offense, leading the team in rushing yards and touchdowns in his rookie season.

The trade of James Conner to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 had a significant impact on Najee Harris. With Conner gone, Harris became the Steelers' primary running back. He responded by having a breakout season in 2021, rushing for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Harris is a talented running back who is still developing. He is a physical runner who is also good at catching passes out of the backfield. He is a key part of the Steelers' offense, and he is expected to be a major contributor for the team in the years to come.

The trade of James Conner was a significant event for the Steelers. It opened the door for Najee Harris to become the team's primary running back, and he has taken full advantage of the opportunity. Harris is a talented player who is still developing, and he is expected to be a major contributor for the Steelers for many years to come.

7. Playoffs

The trade of James Conner to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 had a significant impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff hopes. With Conner gone, the Steelers were left with a less experienced running back group. This was a major factor in the Steelers' disappointing 2021 season, as they finished with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs.

The Steelers' lack of a reliable running game was evident in their playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs were able to limit the Steelers' running game to just 65 yards, and the Steelers were unable to sustain drives or keep the Chiefs' offense off the field. This was a major factor in the Steelers' 42-21 loss.

The trade of James Conner was a reminder of the importance of running backs in the NFL. Running backs are a key part of any successful offense, and they can be a major factor in a team's success or failure. The Steelers learned this lesson the hard way in 2021, and they will be looking to add a more reliable running back to their offense in the future.

FAQs about "James Conner Traded"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the trade of James Conner from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021:

Question 1: Why was James Conner traded?

Conner was traded because he was entering the final year of his contract and was set to become a free agent in 2022. The Steelers were not willing to pay Conner the salary he was seeking, so they decided to trade him.

Question 2: What did the Steelers receive in return for Conner?

The Steelers received a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft from the Cardinals in exchange for Conner.

Question 3: How did the trade impact the Steelers?

The trade meant that the Steelers would have to rely more heavily on Najee Harris and Benny Snell in the running game. The Steelers also missed out on Conner's leadership and experience in the locker room.

Question 4: How did the trade impact the Cardinals?

The trade gave the Cardinals a talented and experienced running back to add to their offense. Conner quickly became a key part of the Cardinals' offense and helped them reach the playoffs in 2021.

Question 5: What are the key takeaways from the trade?

The trade of James Conner was a reminder of the NFL's ever-changing landscape. Even players who are key parts of a team's success can be traded if the team feels that they can get a better return for them elsewhere. The trade also highlighted the importance of draft picks in the NFL, as the Steelers were able to use the fifth-round pick they received in the Conner trade to select quarterback Chris Oladokun.

Overall, the trade of James Conner was a significant event for both the Steelers and the Cardinals. It had a major impact on both teams, and it is a reminder of the NFL's ever-changing landscape.

Conclusion

The trade of James Conner from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 was a significant event for both teams. It had a major impact on both teams, and it is a reminder of the NFL's ever-changing landscape.

The Steelers received a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft in exchange for Conner. This pick was used to select quarterback Chris Oladokun, who is considered to be a promising young player. The Steelers also saved money by trading Conner, as he was entering the final year of his contract and was set to become a free agent in 2022.

The Cardinals received a talented and experienced running back in Conner. He quickly became a key part of the Cardinals' offense and helped them reach the playoffs in 2021. Conner is a versatile running back who can run, catch, and block. He is a valuable asset to the Cardinals' offense.

The trade of James Conner was a win-win for both teams. The Steelers got a good return for a player who was entering the final year of his contract, and the Cardinals got a talented running back who can help them compete for a Super Bowl.