Erie native James Conner set for 2nd Pro Bowl after big season with Arizona Cardinals

Three years later, Erie native James Conner is back in the Pro Bowl.

Conner's second appearance in the NFL's annual all-star game seemed unlikely last spring after the Pittsburgh Steelers did not re-sign him following his fourth season with the team.

He led the Steelers in rushing each season from 2018-20, but Pittsburgh allowed him to enter free agency and they eventually selected Alabama running back Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 draft.

However, Conner, 26, rejuvenated his career in April 2021 by signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

About 10 months later, Conner is representing the Cardinals and the NFC in the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas. The game, which will be televised by ESPN, is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium. He last appeared in the Pro Bowl with the Steelers after the 2018 season, his second as a pro.

Pro Bowl pick: Erie native James Conner makes Pro Bowl team in first season with Arizona Cardinals

Conner signs: Erie's Conner signs with Arizona Cardinals, ending his time with Steelers

Conner has been in Las Vegas since midweek with four other Cardinals teammates.

"This is just an awesome time to come out here with all of these great players and just get to know them a little bit more," he said in an interview with Dani Sureck of the Arizona Cardinals. "I get to bring my family out here so it's a good overall weekend to play some football."

Conner was selected to the Pro Bowl primarily because of his ability to reach the end zone with the Cardinals. He scored a career-high 18 touchdowns, ranking him third in the NFL behind Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, who tied for the league lead with 20 TDs.

Conner also finished with 15 rushing touchdowns, which tied him with New England Patriots running back Damien Harris for second in the NFL, behind Taylor (18).

Conner became a valuable asset for the Cardinals as a power running back, goal-line runner, pass blocker and a receiving threat. (He had three receiving TDs.)

Season finale: Conner scores 2 TDs for Cardinals, leaves with injury

His contributions helped the Cardinals make the playoffs with an 11-6 record. Their season ended in the Wild Card round with a 34-11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, who will play the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl on Feb. 13. Conner scored Arizona's only touchdown in that playoff game, but the loss left him wanting more.

"It's not the way we wanted to end ... we had so much talent on our team," Conner told Sureck. "You know we just fight through and try to regroup and try to get another shot at it next year."

It's not clear yet, though, if Conner will be back with the Cardinals. He signed a one-year contract last year and is now a free agent. He should have more bargaining power on the free-agent market after his big season.

"With the opportunity they gave me and the relationships I built, I would love to continue out there (in Arizona)," Conner added. "I'm a free agent, so I'm excited to see what's out there. I'm a man of faith so I know it will all work out for me."

Conner has been signing autographs and talking with fans during the weekend. One Arizona Cardinals Twitter video of Conner talking to an NFC official went viral last week after the man shared a moving story with Conner, who is a cancer survivor.

"When you were in Pittsburgh ... you signed some stuff for a little girl who had cancer. That was my daughter," he said. "You've been her favorite player ever since."

Conner said, "Is she healthy? All good now?"

The man replied, "She's all good. All healthy."

"Love to hear it, bro," Conner said. "Love to hear that."

UPDATE: James Conner finished with three rushes for 3 yards and two receptions for 13 yards in the Pro Bowl, which the AFC won 41-35.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie's Conner in Vegas for 2nd Pro Bowl