Following a nail-biting 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle opened up about his upcoming free agency. It was one of the best seasons of his career with the Panthers, but his comments have raised speculation that he could be seen in a different jersey next season.
What Did Panthers RB Rico Dowdle Say To Address His Free Agency Future?
The Panthers and Rams kicked off the NFL Wild Card Round on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium, where Carolina’s season came to an end. Now, the Panthers are going to make several crucial decisions, one of which involves Dowdle.
This past offseason, the Panthers signed Dowdle to a one-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $2,750,000, which also included a $1,000,000 signing bonus, according to Spotrac. Dowdle lived up to expectations, finishing the regular season with 1,076 rushing yards and six touchdowns, ranking No. 13 on PFSN’s RB Impact Metric.
But with his deal in Carolina expiring, many are wondering whether he’ll remain with the team or find a new home. Addressing reporters from his locker on Sunday Morning, Dowdle shed some light on his mindset.
When asked how his decreased reps affected his thinking about free agency, here’s what the 27-year-old running back had to say, “Definitely have to take that into account for sure. It is what it is, I can only control what I can control. My game shows the more I get throughout the game, the stronger and better I get.”
Rico Dowdle says his decreased carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency. Says he wants to go somewhere where he can get bulk of the carries. pic.twitter.com/48v2892fZS
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 11, 2026
Dowdle also shared that he has no idea and never received an explanation about why his reps were reduced. Expanding further on his free agency outlook, he added:
“Just want to be a guy that can go out there and just get the bulk and try and let it run. Like I said, I think that my game just shows the more I get throughout the games, the stronger and better I get so just want to take that into consideration from how I played out the last couple of weeks.”
Saturday’s game wasn’t one to remember for either Carolina fans or Dowdle, who received just five carries for nine yards. While fellow RB Chuba Hubbard recorded 13 carries for 46 yards and two TDs.
Earlier in the season, Dowdle got off to a strong start, but his production declined as the year went on. And perhaps the loss to the Rams marked the final time fans will see him in a Panthers uniform, with the running back potentially finding a new home next season.
