Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

James Conner addresses Cardinals doubters amid tanking claims

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/2/23

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner knows many within the NFL community believe the club is tanking through at least the upcoming season.

"Nobody believes in us, but that’s OK," Conner explained, per Doug Haller of The Athletic. "That’s the exciting part. To prove people wrong."

Conner offered his take less than a full week after Arizona's release of three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins became official and after the organization seemingly didn't try to land a temporary fill-in for injured quarterback Kyler Murray this offseason.

Murray is recovering from knee surgery and could miss at least half of the season, meaning 36-year-old journeyman Colt McCoy is on track to start when Arizona begins the campaign at the Washington Commanders on Sept. 10. McCoy recently served as a color analyst for NBC's coverage of the United States Football League and is clearly already preparing for his post-playing career.

"He was our brother, and will continue to be," Conner said about Hopkins' departure. "He’s already had a heck of a career. And wherever he goes next, he’s going to make plays for them. Wishing him the best but somebody’s got to step up."

As of Friday afternoon, OddsChecker had the Cardinals and Houston Texans tied as the largest betting underdogs at +20000 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII in February. The Cardinals were also the biggest underdogs (via OddsChecker) at +2500 odds to claim the NFC West crown at that time.

Extremely early mock drafts such as one updated by Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football earlier this week are forecasting the Cardinals will "earn" the No. 1 pick for next year's draft and use it to acquire Murray's long-term replacement. Last month, NBC Sports' Peter King suggested he believes Arizona is retooling with 2025 in mind.

"Rebuild? Whatever you want to call it, we got football ahead of us," Conner said. "And that’s exciting."

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