Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 best running backs in franchise history
By Randy Gurzi
James Conner. 10. player. 55. . RB. (2017-Present)
Greatest running backs in Pittsburgh Steelers history: #10. James Conner
We get into the top 10 and we find ourselves looking at a player who wasn’t supposed to start in 2018, but did — and then played well enough to be the feature back heading into the upcoming 2019 NFL season. James Conner is another local product, having been born in Erie, Pennsylvania and playing for McDowell High School in Millcreek Township.
From there, Conner went on to star at the University of Pittsburgh and in his sophomore season, he had 1,765 yards and an unbelievable 26 touchdowns. A torn MCL ended his 2015 NCAA season after just eight rushes. Then later that year, Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while recovering from his knee injury.
He underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy, as he aggressively fought the disease and announced he was cancer-free in May 2016. Conner returned to the field for Pittsburgh and had another strong campaign, finishing with 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Steelers fans were overjoyed to see him land with their team during the following draft as he was taken 105th overall in the third round. As a rookie, he backed up Le’Veon Bell and had just 32 carries, but that changed when Bell sat out the 2018 NFL season, as he was unable to get a contract with the long-term security he desired.
Conner filled in nicely for Bell, recording 973 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding another 497 yards and a score off 55 receptions. Recently, Conner signed with the Arizona Cardinals, ending his brief but productive time with the Steelers.