• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

Steelers Unlikely To Sign James Conner

Steeler Nation

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Apr 7, 2014
Messages
2,542
Reaction score
4,985
Points
93
One of the better feel-good stories in Pittsburgh sports is coming to a close. Per ESPN‘s Brooke Pryor, the inevitable hypothetical is becoming a reality; the Pittsburgh Steelers are unlikely to re-sign James Conner.

In an article from March 2nd, Pryor gives an overview of the Steelers’ free agency situation and explicitly states it:

Screen-Shot-2021-03-03-at-10.20.30-AM.png


If true (which, let’s face it, it probably is), my hometown heart will hurt a little. I love the guy. I root for the guy. And I’ll continue to root for him wherever he goes, because he’s just that easy to love. But with the business of the NFL being the way it is, money talks louder than just about anything else – louder than cities and fans and the team colors that they grew up in. And, in a twist that shocked no one, the Steelers don’t have much of it. In fact, they’re going to be in a mad scramble just to become cap-compliant before March 17th.

Conner, who struggled with injuries throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh, did show flashes of possibility and promise. He totaled almost 1,000 rushing yards in the 2018 playing only 13 games, and reached the end zone 12 times. All in his first year as the team’s official starting running back. He might not receive a bank-breaking deal, but he’ll easily find a team who can pay him more than the Steelers could – and will be more than willing to do so.

The run game needs a major overhaul and should be the primary focus in the 2021 NFL Draft and free agency, starting with the offensive line. But the team no doubt will be able to find a running back to add to the room.

It always hurts to say goodbye to a beloved player. But it’s far better than a bitter goodbye. And I consider whichever team he lands on a lucky one indeed.

It’s already written

— James Conner (@JamesConner_) March 1, 2021


#SteelerNation

Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
 

Drink IRON City

KAYAK Champion who drives a LUXURY S10
Forefather
Contributor
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Messages
30,057
Reaction score
30,094
Points
113
Location
between $2 short & ten buck two
Nice article Jordan and thanks.


I too feel a lot of love towards James and his story. He has beaten the odds in football and life, awesome person while doing so. Couldn't ask for a more humble true man and I'm sorry he has to go but it's inevitable. Hope he lands on his feet somewhere and keeps on trucking.



Salute the nation
 
  • Like
Reactions: GMC

madinsomniac

Well-known member
Member
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
19,166
Reaction score
19,813
Points
113
Location
LP in the burgh
I think there is an outside shot he is back... lets assume they intend to draft a RB... that guy won’t be ready asap... Conner played in Canada system in pitt and was highly successful... it may be logical for him to take a one year deal, pump up his stats until the new guy is ready... he would be a better safety plan than benny snell and Coach’s speed demon that never goes anywhere... lol
 

steelhurt

Well-known member
Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
5,764
Reaction score
6,796
Points
113
Nice young man and glad he’s cancer free and continues to be but we need to upgrade at this position. James will be fine and land on his feet with a new team and fresh new contract.
My prediction, Buff Bills.
 

SteelerSask2

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2014
Messages
13,934
Reaction score
12,784
Points
113
Location
Western Canada
Conner will land on his feet as a backup somewhere. Anyone with his starts and stats will get another chance as a role player. Maybe if the blocking was better it would have turned out better for him in Pittsburgh. If he goes unsigned early he could be added as a backup.
 

thesteelcity

Pittsburgh, PA
Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
9,822
Reaction score
5,799
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
I like James as a compliment to a bigger, younger back. Benny Snell hasn't impressed me too much, but it may be time to set JC free to pursue another opportunity. He will get scooped up.
 

black and gold apex

Well-known member
Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
3,922
Reaction score
2,101
Points
113
The man has been through a lot but he has not stayed healthy, way to many times he looks like he is pouting on the sidelines and his productivity is not consistent.
 

Shane Falco

Pain is temporary, Glory lasts forever
Contributor
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
4,453
Reaction score
5,826
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh
I think he may end up in either Seattle or Cincinnati
 

Omar10213245

👀👂🎃🏈🍇🥑🍆🍋🪂🌞🌛🌜☂☔❄🌊🥴🤬🥺
Member
Contributor
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
10,357
Reaction score
8,448
Points
113

SteelerFan448

Well-known member
Member
Forefather
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
14,882
Reaction score
16,612
Points
113
Conner is a good back. I think what we saw is he began to press a little too much as we got further away from Bell. He wanted to do much rather than stick to what worked for him. I also think the offensive philosophy shifted away from what Conner did well. Combine that with injuries and it was just a bad combination that lowered his productivity.
 

jitter77

Owes Jimmy $50
Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2014
Messages
8,925
Reaction score
4,670
Points
113
I think our Oline was worse than perceived by a lot of people. I dont think its fair to James or any of our backs to rate them. My biggest issue w/ Conner is staying healthy and lack of top end speed. We havent had a back that could run away from people for a while. I think Conner would be at least average with a half decent Oline
 

slashsteel

Thank you for everything Franco, R I P.
Contributor
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Messages
36,535
Reaction score
41,299
Points
113
Location
Pittsburgh
JC will move on but I still will be fond of the man. He will always be Conner strong to me! Keep grinding James.
 

Ron Burgundy

Well-known member
Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2014
Messages
26,829
Reaction score
25,073
Points
113
Location
Rochester, PA
He is good but not great and will land somewhere if he will accept the #2 RB job and #2 RB money. His injury issues go back to his time at Pitt and have nothing to do with cancer. You want to draft a RB, cut Watt and Snell, and have Connor as #2 I'm fine with that but I don't think he would be. Not bagging on him personally, but his reliability track record is what it is.
 

Drink IRON City

KAYAK Champion who drives a LUXURY S10
Forefather
Contributor
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Messages
30,057
Reaction score
30,094
Points
113
Location
between $2 short & ten buck two
He is good but not great and will land somewhere if he will accept the #2 RB job and #2 RB money. His injury issues go back to his time at Pitt and have nothing to do with cancer. You want to draft a RB, cut Watt and Snell, and have Connor as #2 I'm fine with that but I don't think he would be. Not bagging on him personally, but his reliability track record is what it is.

Well said Ron, I like James' story a lot, A WHOLE LOT but his ability to stay on the field is the question.



Salute the nation
 

Lloyds legend

Well-known member
Member
Contributor
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
1,095
Reaction score
635
Points
113
Location
In a van down by the river!
The 2018 game at Heinz against the Stains when the crowd broke into the "Conner, Conner" chant was awesome!

I love the kid but our running game has to be better.
 

Atlsteelers

Well-known member
Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2014
Messages
1,009
Reaction score
893
Points
113
Location
Atlanta, GA
I would be ok with resigning him but knowing he will be a back up/3rd down back. Connor when healthy was decent. Better than Snell or what little we saw from McFarland. He has decent hands to be a 3rd down back, isn’t afraid of contact and will take on the block if need be. A combo of Harris and him would be nice. Also, a big part of our run game was our line. We have to upgrade across the line.
 
Last edited:

ZonaBurgh

My Opinions Are Awesome!
Contributor
Joined
Apr 23, 2014
Messages
9,704
Reaction score
14,337
Points
113
Location
Somewhere in Arizona
I'm guessing that some team will give him more money than the Steelers will offer, assuming they don't just let him walk, which again, I think would be a shame.
Get him a line that can knock over a gnat and I believe he still has some tread on the tires. No one can question his heart. He may not be a feature back, but would
be a strong #2.
 

Ron Burgundy

Well-known member
Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2014
Messages
26,829
Reaction score
25,073
Points
113
Location
Rochester, PA
I would be ok with resigning him but knowing he will be a back up/3rd down back. Connor when healthy was decent. Better than Snell or what little we saw from McFarland. He has decent hands out to be a 3rd down back, isn’t afraid of contact and will take on the block of need be. A combo of Harris and him would be nice. Also, a big part of our run game was our line. We have to upgrade across the line.
Exactly. At this point it's proven that he isn't good enough or durable enough to be a #1 every down RB with 25-30 carries a game. Needs to be limited to 10 carries and some passes or else he'll spend a quarter of the season on the injured list.
 
Top