The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 NFL season with one clear objective: return to the playoffs and make a legitimate run at the Super Bowl. After missing the postseason last year, Jerry Jones and the front office have been aggressive in upgrading the roster. While several key additions have already been made, the backfield remains an area of opportunity.

Currently, Javonte Williams is projected as the lead back, supported by a group of younger talents including Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah. However, adding a proven, high-level veteran to complement Williams could significantly elevate the unit.

One name that continues to surface as a strong fit for Dallas is veteran running back James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals.

Cowboys Urged to Monitor James Conner as Potential Cut Candidate

With the important June 1 deadline approaching—when teams can release players and spread dead cap hits over two years—smart organizations are scanning the league for talent that could become available. James Conner fits that profile.

The Cardinals selected Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and already possess a stable of young backs in Trey Benson and Tyler Allgeier. This depth could push the 31-year-old Conner toward a release or trade.

Sports Illustrated’s Randy Gurzi has repeatedly highlighted Conner as a logical target for Dallas, noting the fit both on the field and within the coaching staff.

“Throughout the offseason, we’ve written on how James Conner makes sense for the Cowboys,” Gurzi wrote. “Javonte Williams has been a beast, but Dallas could use an upgrade at RB2 and Conner has experience working with Klayton Adams, who was an offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals previously.”

What James Conner Would Bring to the Dallas Offense

Conner’s 2025 season was limited by injury, appearing in just three games before a season-ending issue. In that small sample, he rushed 32 times for 95 yards and a touchdown while adding eight receptions for 38 yards and another score.

However, his 2024 campaign served as a reminder of his capabilities as a featured back. Conner delivered 1,094 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 236 carries, plus 47 catches for 414 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Over his nine-year NFL career, Conner has appeared in 110 games, accumulating 6,065 rushing yards and 60 rushing touchdowns on 1,393 carries (4.4 yards per attempt). He has also proven to be a reliable receiving threat, recording 289 receptions for 2,255 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns—giving him a career total of 72 touchdowns.

Bringing Conner to Dallas would create a formidable one-two punch alongside Javonte Williams. The combination would provide explosive playmaking ability, physicality between the tackles, and valuable insurance against injury. If either primary back goes down, the Cowboys would still have a starting-caliber option ready to step in.

Whether Arizona ultimately releases or trades Conner remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that if he hits the open market, the Cowboys would be in an excellent position to make a competitive offer.

For a Dallas team chasing Super Bowl aspirations, adding a battle-tested 72-touchdown playmaker with over 6,000 career rushing yards could be the difference between another early exit and a deep postseason run. The NFC East has been put on notice—and this time, Dallas might just have the last word.