June 1 has passed, and while blockbuster NFL trades like those of Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown are behind us, the floor is still wide open for more trades, and the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants are drawing attention. There are still months left before the 2026 season kicks off, so teams have time to make final roster improvements.
Cardinals RB James Conner Could Land With the Bengals or the Giants
The Bengals are aiming to bounce back from a 2025 season in which they went 6-11, as franchise quarterback Joe Burrow missed half the season due to injury. Burrow’s injury woes continue to be the team’s main stumbling block in its bid to become a perennial playoff contender. However, adding the necessary pieces around him for 2026 could change things.
The Giants, on the other hand, look to launch in a new direction with head coach John Harbaugh and young quarterback Jaxson Dart. As Dart continues to get acclimatized to life under center in the Big Apple, having a deep supporting cast around him will go a long way.
Cardinals running back James Conner, interestingly, fits into both situations. The two-time Pro Bowler has a proven track record of productivity across his nine years in the NFL, having spent his most productive seasons in the desert, where he bagged his only two 1,000-yard campaigns.
While an ankle injury in 2025 saw him miss the most time in his career (14 games), he still has value to offer in a committee backfield in the very least.
“The team [Cardinals] signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency and used the No. 3 pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love,” wrote ESPN’s Dan Graziano. “Conner has been a great signing for the Cardinals, posting consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2023 to 2024. But he turned 31, is coming off a major season-ending injury and has just one year left on his contract.”
As the Bengals and Giants are trying to make a strong comeback in 2026, loading up on talent isn’t a bad idea. While Cincinnati and New York have Chase Brown and Cam Skattebo leading their respective backfields, adding support will benefit them down the stretch. Conner booked an 85.7 PFSN RB Impact Score in 2024 and ranked sixth in the league.
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“It feels like one of the Cardinals’ six RBs has to go, and a team looking for a reliable veteran back could make a move for Conner if he’s having a hard time getting carries,” Graziano added. “The Bengals and Giants jump to mind; they were looking for running back help this offseason but didn’t bring in much.”
How savvy the Bengals and Giants are about acquiring cheap, high-end talent this offseason will be interesting to watch.
