The 2026 Arizona Cardinals TC Discussion Thread

[MadCardDisease]

I never compared it to the NFL. I compared it to my own abilities and Connor is doing the same. He is a high paid elite athlete and I would rather the coaches, upper management and Connon determine if he is done. We can discuss it amoung ourselves but why does it always have to be black and white (he's cooked or he's not). Let the season start to unfold. As a player, he's probably lost a step. As a leader, he's probably gained knowledge and more leadership. This team needs that.

I'll take the positive spin on it until I need to pivot. You can do what you want.

Conner already took a paycut to stay on the team and cutting him would only save peanuts on the cap. I don't expect him to be the bell cow anymore but he is valuable as a backup. The RB position can be very volatile as it is very prone to injuries. So having Conner on the team provides nice insurance should one or two of the younger guys go down with injury later in the season.

 

[Adrian]

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[kerouac9]

Conner already took a paycut to stay on the team and cutting him would only save peanuts on the cap. I don't expect him to be the bell cow anymore but he is valuable as a backup. The RB position can be very volatile as it is very prone to injuries. So having Conner on the team provides nice insurance should one or two of the younger guys go down with injury later in the season.

Insurance that we’ll suck?

I’m not sure Conner is much of an upgrade over Bam Knight.

We should keep him since his money has already been paid, but there isn’t much of a football argument for it.

 

[oaken1]

Could argue the fault lies with the QB…

absolutely could..he was hung out to dry...but you just dont take the hit...not in practice...if its the Rams TE?? Oh absolutely!!!..but not your own guy

 

[oaken1]

OK, oaken1. How do you know he has "lost" a step? Because of his age? His injury? His runs? He just looks like it? A combination of some or all?
Just playing devil's advocate. I think I probably agree with you.

I know because it was obvious watching him play last season...even before he got hurt.
Im pretty sure if you go check the game day thread from week one last week...and week two...you will see folks discussing how JC looks like he is running in mud.
its not just an automatic evaluation based on the calendar..but based on what he showed during live games combined with fifty years of seeing it happen to runningbacks that hit his chronological age.
it suxx...dude, I love JC... but reality just is what it is

 

[oaken1]

Conner was never fast so losing a step was never his game! He’s a smart player and takes what he can get when he can get it. If you want to play God before Conner show his ability, I can’t help you dude. Again, I’ll let it play out. Cheers to you though!

I agree with your basic premise..so when he lost the first step it wasnt much of an issue... power runners dont need to blow by a guy to move the pile.
But JC has lost more than one step..he has lost a couple...and in the NFL it reaches a point where even power runners suffer from the loss of quickness.
nobody is playing "God"...although I appreciate your acknowledgement....
JC showed clearly and beyond any doubt that he was cooked LAST YEAR.
many of us saw it and discussed it during the actual games...its in the game day threads I am sure.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

you will see folks discussing how JC looks like he is running in mud.

JC showed clearly and beyond any doubt that he was cooked LAST YEAR.
many of us saw it and discussed it during the actual games...its in the game day threads I am sure.

We did talk about it in the game day threads

He looked like he was running in mud

 

[Stout]

Conner already took a paycut to stay on the team and cutting him would only save peanuts on the cap. I don't expect him to be the bell cow anymore but he is valuable as a backup. The RB position can be very volatile as it is very prone to injuries. So having Conner on the team provides nice insurance should one or two of the younger guys go down with injury later in the season.

So would you cut him or Benson? Both won't be on the roster. Personally, I like neither and might pick someone else up, but I doubt Monti does that.

 

[MadCardDisease]

So would you cut him or Benson? Both won't be on the roster. Personally, I like neither and might pick someone else up, but I doubt Monti does that.

I'm keeping all 4 on the roster. I see TA and Love as the starters. Conner backing up TA and Benson backing up Love.

If another team has a rash of injuries at RB during the season then I consider moving one of the backup RBs for future draft capital assuming the Cardinals RB room looks healthy still at that point.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

So would you cut him or Benson? Both won't be on the roster. Personally, I like neither and might pick someone else up, but I doubt Monti does that.

What if you cut Conner to add him as a vet to the PS? He might actually go for that. Gives him a chance to stay here (home) and stay healthy....and Lord knows he will get some game day call ups, when other dudes are hurt and can't go. If it's pitched right, it's an easy way for him to extend his career a year or two.

 

[PDXChris]

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[kerouac9]

I'm keeping all 4 on the roster. I see TA and Love as the starters. Conner backing up TA and Benson backing up Love.

If another team has a rash of injuries at RB during the season then I consider moving one of the backup RBs for future draft capital assuming the Cardinals RB room looks healthy still at that point.

This is “Michael Carter could start for some teams” territory.

 

[MadCardDisease]

This is “Michael Carter could start for some teams” territory.

i don't agree with that. Michael Carter didn't make the roster for any team last season (he eventually was a practice squad guy). Benson and Conner would probably have made the roster for every team in the league last year.

At the beginning of last season Conner and Benson were pretty much splitting time at RB the first two games of the season. Then Conner had the freak injury to his ankle/foot half way through game 3. Benson went down with a major knee injury the next game. We barely got to see either of them.

 

[Adrian]

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[Adrian]

Bo Brack

@BoBrack
·
1h


The Arizona Cardinals came to injury settlement with former 7th round pick Jaden Davis.Meanwhile, the Rams held a tryout for some fellow named Aaron Donald, per the transaction wire.

 

[kerouac9]

i don't agree with that. Michael Carter didn't make the roster for any team last season (he eventually was a practice squad guy). Benson and Conner would probably have made the roster for every team in the league last year.

At the beginning of last season Conner and Benson were pretty much splitting time at RB the first two games of the season. Then Conner had the freak injury to his ankle/foot half way through game 3. Benson went down with a major knee injury the next game. We barely got to see either of them.

Yes but this isn’t last year. Conner had a grisly injury and is a year older.

Benson had another injury and is already injured again and unable to practice.

 

[some dumb guy]

Yes but this isn’t last year

I agree, and yet it's referenced all the time. Some valid, most not so much

 

[602 Native]

They love to hate on us.

We have to win some games this year.

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[Cbus cardsfan]

They love to hate on us.

We have to win some games this year.

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What a stupid post they did.
You could do the same thing for every other team in training camp.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Yes but this isn’t last year. Conner had a grisly injury and is a year older.

Benson had another injury and is already injured again and unable to practice.

All true.

The silver lining is that these guys are backups so hopefully they can get healthy sooner rather than later while TA and Love get the majority of the carries.

 

[ajcardfan]

Conner already took a paycut to stay on the team and cutting him would only save peanuts on the cap. I don't expect him to be the bell cow anymore but he is valuable as a backup. The RB position can be very volatile as it is very prone to injuries. So having Conner on the team provides nice insurance should one or two of the younger guys go down with injury later in the season.

I do not see keeping 4 RBs on the active roster when none of them play special teams (maybe Knight can return kickoffs?)

 

[SECTION 11]

They love to hate on us.

We have to win some games this year.

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Looking good Charmilous!

 

[BigDavis75]

Bo Brack
@BoBrack
·
1h


The Arizona Cardinals came to injury settlement with former 7th round pick Jaden Davis.Meanwhile, the Rams held a tryout for some fellow named Aaron Donald, per the transaction wire.

Glad to see we are on even footing

 

[oaken1]

I do not see keeping 4 RBs on the active roster when none of them play special teams (maybe Knight can return kickoffs?)

and three QB's...
thats a lot of special teams slots used as place holders

 

[Stout]

I'm keeping all 4 on the roster. I see TA and Love as the starters. Conner backing up TA and Benson backing up Love.

If another team has a rash of injuries at RB during the season then I consider moving one of the backup RBs for future draft capital assuming the Cardinals RB room looks healthy still at that point.

Then Conner and Benson need to play special teams. That's not happening. There is absolutely no reason to keep Conner. He. Is. Cooked.