‘I’m Pittsburgh through and through’ — James Conner says it would be hard to leave Steelers

After excelling at high-level football in Pittsburgh since 2013, James Conner might be in his final year of playing for the Steel City.

The running back and Erie native is entering the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During an appearance on a podcast hosted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday, Conner said entering a “contract year” would have little impact on his season or the preparations for it.

Over four seasons at Pitt and four with the Steelers, Conner won ACC Player of the Year, beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma and made the Pro Bowl. Conner said “it would be hard” to play for another NFL team in another city.

“It would be hard to put another helmet on, just because of everything and what this city means to me,” Conner said. “This city I played my college ball in, the city I had my life saved in, became healthy. The city I got drafted to and I want to be able to say the city I brought a championship to. It would be hard. I’m Pittsburgh through and through.

“But I’m big on my faith, so I’m always going to end up doing and being where I’m supposed to be through the Lord’s guidance and direction. We’ll see. We’ll see, take it one day at a time and stay in the moment.”

Conner to ESPN: "I’ve been playing football and having everyone together (in close proximity) in that atmosphere, our bodies get immune to it. We’re going to keep it safe."https://t.co/rZkYm2NLaz

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 19, 2020

Conner, 25, is scheduled to make $825,000 during the 2020 season, the final year of the contract he signed after being a third-round pick in 2017. He has averaged 4.2 yards per carry and has 20 total touchdowns the past two seasons but has missed nine games because of injuries.

“Whether it be a contact year or not,” Conner said, “I have to perform regardless.”

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