ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals are signing running back James Conner to a two-year extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“More time together: Cardinals are signing RB James Conner to a two-year contract extension, per source. Conner was scheduled to be a free agent after this season, but no longer.”

Schefter added in a later tweet that the deal was a two-year, $19 million extension.

The Cardinals, under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, have utilized a heavy run-first approach, which has relied on Conner to be a premier back in order for the team to find success.

That’s precisely what Conner has been.

Even during a 4-13 season in 2023, Conner eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing, and in 2024 he’s helped the Cardinals open a few eyes during their 6-5 start. Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings could see him eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards for a fourth straight season.

After Arizona took Trey Benson early in the 2024 NFL Draft, there was speculation Conner’s time with the Cardinals was coming to an end.

No contact extensions during training camp, preseason or the early portion of the regular season continued to put that in doubt, though general manager Monti Ossenfort was able to ensure a key part of their offense will continue in the locker room.

“I’ve been telling people. Since I’ve been playing with James I’ve known what type of back he is. Obviously, he’s underrated around the world in the league and how he’s viewed, but I know there’s nothing he can’t do in my eyes,” Kyler Murray said of Conner earlier this season.

Other potential contract extensions to watch are Hjalte Froholdt, Budda Baker, Kyzir White and Will Hernandez ahead of 2025’s free agency class.

Here are the final scores from Friday night’s AIA high school football playoff games and the schedule for Saturday’s games. Scores are added as they become available.

Friday’s games

6A Conference semifinals

Mountain View, 28, Brophy, 27

Centennial, 37, Queen Creek, 32

5A Conference semifinals

Cactus, 38, ALA Gilbert North, 35

Desert Edge, 27, Verrado, 14

4A Conference semifinals

Mica Mountain, 24, Yuma Catholic, 14

AZ College Prep, 59, Snowflake, 21

Saturday’s games

3A Championship

No. 2 ALA West Foothills vs. No. 4 Tucson Pusch Ridge, 6 p.m., Mountain Ridge High School

2A Championship

No. 3 Pima vs. No. 12 Scottsdale Christian, 2 p.m., Mountain Ridge High School

Open Division semifinals

No. 4 Liberty vs. No. 8 Hamilton, 6 p.m., Mountain Pointe High School

No. 2 Basha vs. No. 3 ALA Queen Creek, 6 p.m., Dobson High School

The holiday spirit has arrived on the steps of the Arizona Capitol.

San Carlos Apache Tribal Chairman Terry Rambler gifted a 40-foot ponderosa pine tree to Gov. Katie Hobbs on Monday. The tree arrived at the capital on Friday.

“We know this tree will be used to spread holiday warmth and cheer, and it is our hope that it will further serve as a reminder of the natural beauty that exists within our great state and the deep roots the San Carlos Apache have in this region,” Rambler said.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management picked out the enormous tree from the Point of Pines area, northeast of Globe. Together, they harvested it on Nov. 22.

“The Capitol Christmas tree from the San Carlos Apache Tribe is a beautiful gift to Arizona,” Hobbs said in a statement. “We are honored to receive a tree from a Tribal nation for the second year in a row. As we deepen relationships with Tribal communities, this tree celebrates the vibrant cultures that make Arizona so special.”    

Due to its enormous size, the now decked-out tree was cut down to 20 feet to fit within the Capitol Rotunda.

A lighting ceremony will be held on Monday.

The ponderosa pine, a type of yellow pine, lives at elevations typically above 5,000 feet along the Mogollon Rim and other higher elevations in Arizona. The San Carlos Apache Tribal Reservation is noted for one of the largest contiguous stands of this evergreen conifer in the world.

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