Arizona Cardinals have two RB1 in Conner and Benson ahead of next season

Conner on how he views himself and Benson in Cardinals offense:

“We’re both RB1. That’s how we’re approaching and looking at it, truthfully. He’s gonna play a lot this year. He just comes to work and is just super talented. You don’t got to tell him too much. He’s just a guy that who loves football. And it’s just growing every single day.”

The two halfbacks are eerily similar. At 6’1 and 220+ pounds, the duo averaged identical yards per carry. Arizona is trying to follow suit to other NFL teams like the Detroit Lions, who have two dynamic Pro-Bowl caliber running backs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs fueling the offense. While neither Conner and Benson were Pro Bowlers last season, the pair can provide a power running attack that will be a massive problem for opposing defensive fronts.

Benson has reportedly gained eight to 10 pound of muscle this offseason and will weigh around the same as Conner, while carrying the same amount as punch as the former Pro Bowler. Conner had nearly four times the carries compared to Benson, and with his muscle growth, the difference will diminished.

“[Benson’s Confidence is] through the roof right now and I have every reason to think like that because I put in the work this offseason,” Benson said. “Been working with James, been working with the offensive coordinator, the running backs coach and all the running back guys. They’ve been on my back and they know what we got to do this year. I’m very confident for sure.”

The work that Benson has put in this Summer has elevated him past being viewed solely as a third-down back, and into alternating drives between Conner next season. The ball will still be in the hands of the five-year Cardinals veteran for a majority of the team’s running plays, but it wouldn’t be surprising for Benson to have a breakaway sophomore campaign.