Rico Dowdle warns Panthers: Game is circled

Newly signed Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle has made it clear that the 2026 matchup against his former team, the Carolina Panthers, carries extra motivation.

During his introductory press conference after inking a two-year, $12.25 million deal with Pittsburgh, Dowdle was asked about facing Carolina, who will visit the Steelers this season. He responded emphatically.

“It’s definitely circled. It’s definitely circled, for sure,” he said, signaling the game is prominently marked on his calendar.

Dowdle spent the 2025 season with the Panthers, where he emerged as their leading rusher despite a diminished role late in the year. After contributing significantly earlier—especially during an injury to teammate Chuba Hubbard—his touches decreased, leaving him frustrated with the coaching staff’s scheme and repetitive play-calling.

He previously posted a since-deleted tweet criticizing the approach: “Get hard when you run the same thing 75/100 times.”

This is not the first time Dowdle has geared up for a former employer. In 2025 with Carolina, he delivered a standout revenge performance against the Dallas Cowboys—his original NFL team—rushing for 183 yards and adding 56 receiving yards with a touchdown.

Now in Pittsburgh, where he reunites with coach Mike McCarthy from his earlier career chapter, Dowdle aims to channel similar energy against the Panthers, turning personal motivation into on-field impact.