1,000-yard rusher agrees to contract with Pittsburgh Steelers

Six-year veteran running back Rico Dowdle has agreed to a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Dowdle, a former undrafted free agent, spent the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers but also played for the Dallas Cowboys.

Rico Dowdle, Steelers agree to contract

After a breakout 2024, Dowdle spent the 2025 season proving he was no one-year wonder. Signed to a modest one-year deal, the running back entered the season as Chuba Hubbard’s primary backup. However, he quickly earned the starting job and never looked back. 

Appearing in all 17 games while making 11 starts, Dowdle finished the season with 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 236 attempts while adding another 39 receptions for 297 yards and a touchdown. With his help, the Panthers won the NFC South but narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round.

Dowdle originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Signing with the Cowboys, the South Carolina product took a while to establish himself on offense. While he earned a role on special teams, Dowdle only recorded seven attempts for 24 yards through his first three seasons. He finally earned a role in 2023, finishing the season with 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 attempts while serving as a depth option behind veteran Tony Pollard.

Pollard departed for the Tennessee Titans in 2024, leaving Dowdle alone atop the depth chart. Despite his inexperience, the veteran proved capable of handling starting duties. 

Appearing in 16 games, the South Carolina product broke out by recording 1,079 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 235 attempts while adding 39 receptions for 249 yards and three additional scores. Despite his strong play, the Cowboys finished 7-10 and fired head coach Mike McCarthy after the season.

Since signing his rookie contract, Dowdle has recorded 2,540 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 567 attempts (4.5 yards per carry) and caught 95 of his 121 targets for 690 yards and six touchdowns.