Backfield growing crowded

Benson (knee) faces increased competition for touches in 2026 after the Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier and restructured James Conner's contract, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Benson could potentially be the odd man out of a big-bodied 1-2 punch featuring Allgeier and Conner, as Donnie Druin of SI.com reports, though Benson's big-play potential could make him effective in a change-of-pace role. The 2024 third-round pick had a big opportunity last year following Conner's season-ending foot injury, but Benson then suffered a meniscus injury in Week 4, ultimately missing the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery at the beginning of October. While the exact split of Arizona's 2026 backfield remains to be seen, Allgeier and Conner have established themselves as more consistent rushers than Benson, who will need to prove his health and then compete for a roster spot under new head coach Mike LaFleur.