Cowboys Drama Addressed By 1,000-Yard Rusher

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle was one of the many faces Cowboys Nation was sad to see go.

Coming off a career-year in 2024, fans fell in love with Rico's quick burst and much-needed production. His pending free agency held out hope in a potential re-signing.

But in classic Cowboys' front office fashion, a deal didn't come and Dowdle got tired of waiting.

He signed with the Carolina Panthers on a one-year, $2.75 million contract that's packed with incentives.

In an interview with his new team, Dowdle was first asked about other Cowboys' departures and their choice words that followed - specifically the DeMarcus Lawrence feud with Micah Parsons online.

Dowdle - rather intelligently - wasn't going to fall into the trap and say something he'd regret.

“People got their own thoughts and opinions. Obviously, DeMarcus has been there for some years, so that’s just what his thought and opinion (were),” Dowdle said.

"He hasn’t won a Super Bowl in his time there, so I guess he felt like he could never win one.”

When asked to relate to Lawrence's rant, Dowdle said: "I don't agree or disagree."

You can spot the media training from a mile away ... He must have had some practice playing for the world's most valuable sports franchise.

The way news coverage is about the Cowboys, it almost seems the interviewer was begging for him to say something controversial about the topic.

But good for Rico on standing strong in spite.

Dowdle went on to talk about his new opportunity in Carolina, specifically about joining fellow 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard - who he called a "baller".

"Obviously, running back position hasn’t been valued like that in recent years. It’s kind of still trending (down), which I think is completely wrong. I think running back is one of the most valuable positions on an offense,” Dowdle said.

Dowdle, 27, now gets to play in his home state after growing up in nearby Asheville, North Carolina and attending South Carolina for college.

While Rico (and Cowboys Nation) is appreciative of his time in Dallas, fans won't be getting any headline-breaking quotes from the wise running back.