Arizona Cardinals Top 5 Running Backs of All Time

(last updated on January 23, 2026)

The Arizona Cardinals, a franchise that has existed longer than any of its NFL counterparts, have a rich history that dates back to 1898 in Chicago. This extended history has produced its fair share of remarkable ball carriers and backfield stalwarts.

As we delve into the careers of the best running back legends, we will examine the impact of the top five rushers in the Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals’ history. With their exceptional athleticism, these players have captivated audiences and become beloved figures among fans, inspiring respect and admiration.

This post will examine each standout player’s accomplishments, impact, and legacy. Their contributions helped shape the Cardinals’ identity and cemented their place among the greatest running backs in team history.

The following regular-season criteria will be examined to select the quintet of the franchise’s greatest running backs: rushing yards, overall touchdowns, receptions, and awards while with the team. Secondly, if applicable, we will look at playoff numbers with the club, what stats they may have had in the league while not a member of the subject franchise, and any other circumstances or events warranting consideration.

The Best Running Backs in Cardinals History

Here is the list of the top five backs with the most impact for the Cardinals.

When the Cards selected Ottis Anderson in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft, no one probably realized how well he would adapt and fit into the St. Louis franchise’s offensive scheme. As a rookie, O.J. Anderson battered and scurried through opposing defenses to churn out over 1,600 yards and earn the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for the season. It was just the beginning of a brilliant career as there were more 1,000-yard rushing seasons ahead of this talented back with the Cardinals.

Ottis’ 46 rushing touchdowns with the Cards were complemented with five additional scoring strikes via reception, making O.J. a scoring machine. Though a decline in production assumed by the Cardinals prompted a trade to the New York Giants that rejuvenated his NFL career, Anderson forever stands as a top running back for the organization.

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The talented Terry Metcalf was a running back in the Cardinals’ stable, providing electricity and a big-play punch. Terry was a dual threat, consistently recording 500 yards plus on the ground and adding over 300 yards in receiving each season he wore a Cardinal on the side of his helmet.

In the 1975 season, Metcalf had his star shine brightest when his all-purpose yardage production set a then-NFL record in a 14-game season with 2,462 yards. The talented back threatened defenses, and his production in this role earned him three Pro Bowl selections.

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Ollie Matson is one of the greatest running backs in Cardinals history, even though he was with the team for only part of his career. Drafted in 1952, he played with the team in Chicago until a record-setting trade in 1952, during which the Cardinals received many players in exchange for the talented rusher.

During his tenure with the team, Matson was responsible for 40 touchdowns combined in rushing and pass receptions. Always reliable, Ollie averaged over four yards per attempted rush and was vital to the Cardinals’ offensive scheme.

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Most fans may not remember the impact of a young back who played college ball for the Citadel, who arrived in the Red Birds organization in 1981 and was appropriately named Stump Mitchell. Lyvonia Albert Mitchell stood only five feet and nine inches tall and weighed 188 pounds, but he could pack a wallop.

The nickname “Stump” was appropriate in multiple ways, as the player’s stature and knack for “stumping” opposing defenses in locating the talented rusher and then attempting to stop his progress made him an impact player. Mitchell has the second-most career rushing yards for the Cardinals franchise with 4,649 yards, and he added 32 rushing TDs in nine seasons.

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Trippi was a phenom in the Cardinal backfield and a real problem for the rest of the NFL. Charley suited up for the Chicago Cardinals his entire NFL career, lasting from 1947 through 1955. He rushed for over 3,500 yards in that span and added more damage as a receiver, gaining 1,321 yards. Wearing #2 for most of his career, the star back punched the ball over the goal line running 23 times and complemented that with another 11 as a receiver.

Charley Trippi not only helped the team win an NFL title but was also an All-Pro and went to two Pro Bowls. He was selected as a player on the Hall of Fame’s All-1940s NFL Team.

These men were the organization’s cream of the crop at running back. They provided the most production and spark for the franchise, but more deserve careful consideration and an honorable mention.

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Other Top Cardinals Running Backs

This selection process was challenging, given the rich history from which to draw. Some deserving candidates worthy of mention did not make the list due in part to an unfinished resume with the franchise or whose careers were amplified with production on other teams, lessening their impact in the lens of being a Cardinal but not as an NFL legend.

Edge’s time with the Arizona franchise lasted only three seasons when the runner was in his late 20s, yet he rushed for almost 2,900 yards and scored 16 touchdowns for the Cardinals. Alas, much of James’ Hall of Fame career was built when he was a Colt.

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It is hard to leave the NFL’s all-time leading rusher off a top-five RBs list, but he did the most with his former team and joined the Cardinals in the sunset of his brilliant career. Yet, in his final season of 2004, at age 35, Smith still almost rushed for 1,000 yards (937).

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With consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024, Conner is still writing his history with the club. His 2025 season was abbreviated because of injury. In his first five Cardinal seasons, James scored 38 TDs with his legs and battled for 3,763 yards on the ground. And to think the Pitt Panther product didn’t join the team until he was 26 years old and is still going strong!

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D.J. was a productive workhorse for the Arizona Cardinals when he was first drafted out of Northern Iowa in 2015 and exploded onto the NFL scene with 12 combined touchdowns. Injuries plagued his career and hampered his opportunities and longevity with the team. Still, his 3,128 career rushing yards and 48 total TDs on maroon and white are notable.

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Conclusion

There you have it … a star-studded list of outstanding running backs in Cardinal history. Whether they ran in Chicago, St. Louis, or the desert of Arizona, these Cardinals impacted the organization’s stable of running-back thoroughbreds.

What do you think? How does our list compare with your expectations? Did we miss any? Check out the numbers in the Pro-Football-Reference and Stathead databases and develop your own list.

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This entry was posted on Friday, September 20th, 2024 at 3:16 pm and is filed under NFL History. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.