MINNEAPOLIS – The cold won’t affect Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner this weekend.

Hours before he and the Cardinals boarded a plane to Minnesota for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, Conner signed a two-year extension that will keep him in Arizona through the 2026 season, the team announced.

A source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the deal was worth $19 million.

Conner, whose base salary was $4.235 million in 2024, was scheduled to become a free agent after the season. His average annual salary of $9.5 million makes him the seventh-highest paid running back in terms of annual value.

With 705 rushing yards already, the 29-year-old Conner is on pace for his second straight 1,000-yard season, which would be the only two of his eight-year career. He has four 100-yard games and five rushing touchdowns this season.

Conner has been a key part of Arizona’s offense since his arrival in 2021, but he’s taken another step under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

“I have full confidence in James,” coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier this season. “I know Drew does, the offensive team and the offense. He’s an asset we have that not many people have.”

“He does a lot for us, not just on the playing side, but on the psychological side, on the leadership side and on the example side. This guy is in there before anyone is in there, working on his legs today. That’s how he is.” He’s basically a person who’s the main thing, and he goes about his business, and he works, man. It’s calming.

The Cardinals are 5-1 in games in which Conner has rushed for 100 yards this season, but 1-4 when he fails to do so.

Conner complemented his 705 rushing yards with 288 receiving yards. If he reaches 1,000 yards receiving, he will become the first player in Cardinals history to reach that mark in each of his first four seasons with the team.

Since Conner signed with Arizona in 2021, only five players have scored more touchdowns than Conner’s 40 in that span.

Gannon said in the offseason that if there was a player his oldest child should follow and watch out for, Conner would be one of the best options. Gannon has praised Conner’s work ethic on and off the field and repeatedly noted how well he takes care of his body throughout the season.

And Conner’s influence extends beyond the coaching staff.

“You can’t put a price tag on the importance of JC,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. “Now I could talk about him forever, but he’s a great guy, a great teammate, a great leader, a great player.”

“I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves, but the guys in this room understand what he is.”