This off-season, the Arizona Cardinals added former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, James Conner, and his former head coach has reportedly spoken his mind about it. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was upset when the running back left the team in free agency after signing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Cardinals in the NFC West.
According to Craig Wolfley, a sideline reporter for the Steelers, Tomlin was "heartbroken" that Conner was not able to be brought back because it was Tomlin's belief that Conner was a bell cow back who could carry the rushing attack of an offense.
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Conner was supposed to be the Steelers next primary running back after the departure of Le'Veon Bell in 2018 and in that 2018 season, Conner earned his first Pro Bowl experience with landing in the top 10 in the NFL that season among rushing touchdowns, yards per game, total touchdowns, yards from scrimmage, and touches. Since that season, Conner has struggled to stay on the field playing in 23 games in two years since.
As for the Steelers and their replacement, Najee Harris, the team is definitely in a position to have another star running back. As the first running back taken in this past year's NFL Draft, the hope is that Harris will be an absolute home run for the team's rushing attack, which was less than satisfactory last year. In terms of rushing yards and yards per attempt, the Steelers ranked last in the league in 2020. It is a possibility that coach Tomlin had a quick change of opinion when the Alabama running back was available at the 24th overall pick. Hopefully Harris can prove to be a strong and consistent back for the Steelers.
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Was it the correct decision to let Conner leave to go over the Cardinals? Should the Steelers have kept Conner in Pittsburgh? Should Tomlin feel upset over Conner's departure? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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