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All eyes are on the Arizona Cardinals and how they'll improve on the offensive side of the ball moving into 2025.
One potential changeup thrown by offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and head coach Jonathan Gannon could come in the backfield, where names such as James Conner and Trey Benson reside.
Conner carried the ball 236 times to Benson's 63 last season, establishing himself as a clear workhorse in the desert. He was rewarded with a two-year contract extension after hitting a career high in rushing yards (1,094).
Moving forward, there's questions of how the Cardinals would split the workload between Conner turning 30 in May and Benson having a full season under his belt.
After making an appearance at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, NBC Sports' Matthew Berry offered some insight into what Arizona's backfield plans were:
"I personally asked Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon during his press conference about expectations for Trey Benson in year two and he said how he hopes Benson can light it up in year two and that the Cards would have 'two number one backs.' And that quote got a lot of run.
"And make no mistake, the Cards really like Benson and have high expectations for him. But talking privately with other Arizona sources, that quote may be overblown. James Conner is still the bell cow, still who they trust the most in close, and the kind of running back that NEEDS a lot of touches especially when you get to the fourth quarter. They love James Conner in Arizona. LOVE. I suspect James Conner will once again be very undervalued in fantasy drafts."
Gannon's full quotes on Benson from the Combine:
"Yeah, I think he had a really good year. I think he hasn't hit his ceiling. You guys have heard me say that multiple times. He's working on different parts of his game, but I think just keep doing what he's doing and keep improving in all parts of his game because he's not a one-trick pony.
"He can block in the run game. He can beat you on the first, second, and third levels. Run after the catch... I think that's elite from him. The mental part of the game, I think he can take strides, which we've talked about. In the physical part of the game, I think he can take strides. He's got a lot of good ball in him left so glad we have him. Obviously, he's a premier player for us, and I'm excited about moving forward.
"... Light it up. I really see us... if he takes a necessary jump in year one to year two, I think we have two starting backs. That's how I kind of view those guys. You see certain teams out there that have like two 'ones' I would say, I think we should have two ones this year."
We'll see how much the split tilts moving forward, though it's clear Conner is still very much the man with Benson ready to plug-in when needed.
More must-reads:
- Report reveals if Commanders intend to trade WR Terry McLaurin
- Troubling report surfaces on Patriots' first-round rookie
- The '2024-25 NFL TD catch leaders' quiz
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Cowboys make decision on Micah Parsons' trade request
First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer has been trying to instill civility at practice when tempers flare, but he has no choice but to stay idle as the Dallas Cowboys front office and Micah Parsons face off at training camp. On Friday, Parsons took to social media to announce he sent executive vice president Stephen Jones a request to be traded from the Cowboys. "Unfortunately I no longer want to be here," Parsons wrote, per a post on X. "I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. "I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me." Dallas didn't appear fazed by Parsons' request. Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Cowboys have no plans to trade Parsons this summer, though multiple teams will plan to inquire about the three-time All-Pro pass-rusher. "The Dallas Cowboys have no intention of trading Micah Parsons, per sources," Russini posted on X. "Still, teams around the league are planning to reach out to check on his availability today." The Cowboys selected Parsons with the No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft. The four-time Pro Bowl nominee has recorded 256 tackles and 52.5 sacks during his four years in the league. The former Penn State standout has appeared and started in 63 games. Parsons missed four games last year due to an ankle injury. The Cowboys front office could have made the situation better by talking with Parsons' agent and keeping any issues with the star pass-rusher in-house. The Cowboys have another preseason distraction. This one is of their own making.
Report: Knicks made a signing based on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade belief
The New York Knicks aren't waiting for the offseason drama surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to end before taking care of a key signing for their roster this summer. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Knicks signed Mikal Bridges to a four-year deal worth $150M on Thursday. "New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges has agreed to a four-year, $150 million contract extension with the franchise, agents Sam Goldfeder and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN," Charania posted on X. "The new deal includes a player option for 2029-30 and a trade kicker." Bridges' extension might not have happened if the Knicks believed they had a serious shot to land an elite player in a trade this summer. Per Ashish Mathur of Hoops Wire, the Knicks made their decision to sign Bridges to a new deal after they learned Antetokounmpo plans to stay in Milwaukee. "The New York Knicks got intel that Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t request a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks before signing Mikal Bridges to an extension, an NBA source told Hoops Wire on Thursday," Mathur wrote. "...The Knicks would have pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo had the two-time MVP requested a trade from the Bucks. All signs point toward Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee." Due to the player option Bridges has in his new deal, the guard cannot be traded for at least six months. Mathur's report signals the reality that New York wants to land another star to pair with Jalen Brunson. However, the Knicks might not make a big splash until the trade deadline next year. The Knicks need a big man who can score and play defense at a high level in the playoffs, something Karl-Anthony Towns was unable to do in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Shares Impressive Take On Troy Fautanu Versus TJ Watt
The Pittsburgh Steelers felt very good when they were able to select offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu quickly impressed during his rookie offseason, showing the kind of talent and maturity that led Head Coach Mike Tomlin to name him a starter before the regular season began. Unfortunately, his rookie year was derailed by a season-ending injury, and he never got the chance to showcase his ability on the field. Now in his second season with the team, there is a lot of excitement building around Fautanu’s return. At the same time, there is also pressure. With 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to lead the offense, protecting the pocket becomes even more important. The Steelers are counting on Fautanu to stay healthy and play at a high level, especially as he takes on a critical role in protecting Rodgers from opposing pass rushers. On Wednesday, Tomlin was asked about Fautanu’s progress in training camp, and his response made it clear that he likes what he’s seen. Tomlin said he has been impressed with Fautanu’s growth and toughness, especially in his one-on-one matchups with star linebacker TJ Watt. Competing against Watt in practice is one of the toughest tests a young offensive lineman can face, and Fautanu has handled it well according to Tomlin. "I thought he [Troy Fautanu] represented himself well today [against TJ Watt]," Tomlin said. "As you mentioned, he really gets an opportunity to improve and improve fast because of who he gets to work against every day." The Steelers currently have one of the highest-paid defenses in the NFL, and they recently committed $41 million per year to Watt. The team has invested heavily in building a dominant pass rush, and while that has paid off on the defensive side of the ball, it has also created a valuable environment for the team’s young offensive linemen to grow. Going up against elite defenders like Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cam Heyward in practice has given the young group consistent, high-level reps. That kind of experience has helped them improve, and it’s exactly the kind of internal competition that the Steelers believe will lead to long-term success. Concerns are already starting to emerge about Broderick Jones and what he may or may not be able to contribute in the 2025 season. That uncertainty adds even more pressure to the second-year tackle, Fautanu, who will be counted on to solidify the right side of the line. Steelers' Have Full Faith In Troy Fautanu Even if Jones ends up playing well on the left, the right side will still need to be outstanding for the offense to operate efficiently. If Jones struggles again this season, Fautanu’s responsibilities will only increase, and the expectation will be for him to play nearly flawless football. Tomlin has remained confident in Fautanu’s development and has praised the way he has handled himself in practice, especially in matchups against Pittsburgh’s elite pass rushers. The Steelers do not typically move young, inexperienced players into the starting lineup as quickly as they did with Fautanu. That decision says a lot about how highly regarded he is by the Steelers’ leadership. Tomlin, General Manager Omar Khan, and Team President Art Rooney II clearly believe Fautanu has the tools and mentality to become a long-term fixture on the offensive line. While he still has to prove it during the regular season, everything he has shown so far points to a player who is capable of meeting the challenge.
Cardinals Reveal Deadline Goal; Hint At Upcoming Offseason
The 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline is behind us and unsurprisingly the St. Louis Cardinals were one of the most talked about teams in the league. Although this is the case, the Cardinals completed just three deals. That's more than many teams, but for all of the rumors that were out there, it's a tad surprising that the Cardinals only traded Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, and Phil Maton away. There was noise out there about guys like Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, Lars Nootbaar, and Nolan Gorman. On top of this, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras were talked about, but both made it clear they were not going to waive their no-trade clauses and leave the organization. In the final few hours ahead of the deadline, players under team control (Donovan, Nootbaar, and Gorman) were rumored about on social media, but the Cardinals opted not to trade anyone that was under control because they were not "blown away," per president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. "We got hit a lot on our left-handed hitters...but we were not motivated to move players that we had under control unless we were, to put it mildly, blown away. And we just weren't," Mozeliak said. So, what was the strategy for the organization? Mozeliak revealed the team's goal was with the long-term future, as shared by The Athletic's Katie Woo. "The goal of this trading deadline was about the future," Mozeliak said. "I don’t think it’s necessarily about the immediate future. It’s about the long-term view of the St. Louis Cardinals." The fact that Mozeliak specifically said that it may not be in reference to the immediate future doesn't bode well for the offseason. Could a teardown be on the way when Chaim Bloom takes over?
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