Who Should I Start? James Conner or Gus Edwards

Monday, February 16, 7:27 AM

The Athletic's Doug Haller believes that Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) could be a salary cap casualty this offseason. Conner has been a major asset to Arizona's offense during his five years with the team and is among the most respected players in the locker room, but he's also coming off a severe foot injury that limited him to just three games in 2025. He'll turn 31 years old in May and is under contract through the 2026 season, and cutting him would save the Cardinals around $8 million. Cutting Conner would allow the team to use the extra money to find a younger replacement in the backfield. The Cardinals would face a $2.25 million dead-cap hit by releasing Conner if he's a pre-June 1 cut. Even though Conner had two 1,000-yard seasons before his injury last year, he will most likely struggle to find a prominent role as a lead back in either Arizona or somewhere else next season while coming off a serious injury.

Friday, March 7, 7:32 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers have informed veteran running back Gus Edwards that he will be released in the coming days, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Edwards appeared in just 11 games in 2024, his only season with the Chargers, rushing for 365 yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries. With Edwards now a free-agent, the Chargers could have an entirely revamped backfield in 2025 with J.K. Dobbins also an unrestricted free-agent. There is a good chance the Chargers target a running back in the 2025 NFL draft in what is shaping up as a loaded class at the position. Edwards will now look to latch on with another team as an early-down and short-yardage grinder.