Trending Now - Steelers Ink Free-agent Running Back Rico Dowdle to Contract
WHO:
Rico Dowdle, running back, was ranked No. 51 overall among The Athletic’s top 150 free agents and considered the third-best running back in the free agency class.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rico Dowdle, running back
Carolina Panthers
Kenneth Gainwell, running back for the Steelers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coach Dave Canales
WHAT:
In 2025, Dowdle had 1,076 rushing yards and 297 receiving yards in 17 regular-season games.
Dowdle had back-to-back games with more than 200 yards from scrimmage in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins and Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dowdle finished the 2025 season with six touchdowns on 236 carries.
Dowdle averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2025, with 3.15 yards after contact.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Rico Dowdle to a two-year contract worth $12.25 million.
Dowdle led the Panthers with 1,076 rushing yards in 2025.
Dowdle had consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons between Carolina and Dallas.
Dowdle recorded a franchise-record 473 scrimmage yards over a two-game stretch in Weeks 5 and 6.
Dowdle rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in a midseason win at Green Bay.
Kenneth Gainwell agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WHERE:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Steelers)
Carolina (Panthers)
Dallas, Texas (Cowboys)
WHEN:
The contract with the Steelers was reported on March 9th, 2026.
Dowdle signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Panthers in 2025.
Dowdle's notable performances occurred in Weeks 5 and 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
WHY:
The Steelers needed a running back to provide a different style of play after Kenneth Gainwell, who excelled in the passing game, left for the Buccaneers.
The Steelers needed to replace Kenneth Gainwell, who was the team MVP in 2025 and left for the Buccaneers.
HOW:
Dowdle's addition provides the Steelers with a variety of body types and running styles, pairing well with the 5-8 Jaylen Warren, who is expected to assume the pass-catching role previously held by Gainwell.
Dowdle was elevated to a starting role after a two-week attempt to split repetitions due to his performance.
(UPDATED March 10, 2026 13:21 UTC)
In a significant move for the Pittsburgh Steelers, running back Rico Dowdle has been ranked No. 51 overall among The Athletic’s top 150 free agents and is considered the third-best running back in this year's free agency class. Last season, Dowdle showcased his skills with 1,076 rushing yards and six touchdowns, including impressive back-to-back games with over 200 yards from scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys. His addition to the team aims to diversify the running game, complementing the smaller, pass-catching style of Jaylen Warren after Kenneth Gainwell's departure to the Buccaneers.
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(UPDATED March 10, 2026 07:17 UTC)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed running back Rico Dowdle to a two-year contract worth $12.25 million, following his impressive performance with the Carolina Panthers, where he led the team with 1,076 rushing yards in 2025. Dowdle, who had consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with both Carolina and Dallas, recorded a franchise-record 473 scrimmage yards over a two-game stretch last season and rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in a key win at Green Bay. This move comes as the Steelers look to fill the gap left by Kenneth Gainwell, who was the team's MVP in 2025 and has now agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.