GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals moving on from Trey Benson closes the book on a player who once represented a significant piece of the franchise’s running back future. Benson, selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, arrived with considerable expectations as the potential successor and primary complement to veteran James Conner. Instead, Arizona’s evolving roster made Benson expendable.
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (33) walks off the field after their 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Cardinals now have Conner, newly acquired Tyler Allgeier and rookie Jeremiyah Love competing for opportunities, while Bam Knight moves into the fourth running back spot. On paper, that is still a talented group. But that is precisely what makes Benson’s release so interesting. Arizona did not necessarily decide Benson lacked talent. The Cardinals decided his roster value was outweighed by the depth and versatility of the players ahead of him.
Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona running back Benson (33) carries the ball as San Francisco 49ers safety Jason Pinnock (25) defends during the second half at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Allgeier brings proven NFL production and a physical running style. Love represents a younger investment with significant upside. Conner remains the established centerpiece. That combination gives Arizona legitimate options when designing its backfield. The risk is what happens when the depth chart gets tested. Conner has already demonstrated how important he is to Arizona’s offense, and running backs routinely deal with injuries over the course of an NFL season. If injuries strike multiple players, the Cardinals could suddenly wish they had retained the player they once envisioned as Conner’s heir.
Arizona running back Trey Benson (33) runs out on to the field before they play the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 25, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
That is the strategic gamble behind Benson’s release. For Cardinals fans, the question is not whether Arizona has enough running backs today. It is whether the team has enough reliable running backs when November arrives, and the roster looks very different. Benson’s departure may ultimately prove insignificant. But if injuries hit, his absence could become one of those roster decisions that looks very different in hindsight.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
