NFL teams around the league have had a busy day in the legal tampering window, and running back has been one of the most popular positions. Free agent backs like Kenneth Walker and Travis Etienne were the top options, but one option who went under the radar was Rico Dowdle.
After losing Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to find a backup running back, and they closed in on Dowdle as the choice.
Steelers Get High-End Backup RB To Partner With Jaylen Warren
One of the strongest parts of the Steelers’ offense last season was the running game, with Jaylen Warren finishing 11th overall and Gainwell 21st per PFSN’s RB Impact Metric.
Replacing that production was necessary to keep the Steelers’ offense consistent. Consistency is key for Pittsburgh, and although former head coach Mike Tomlin is no longer coaching the team, the hiring of Mike McCarthy is a win-now move.
This team believes in competing no matter what, and it was a good start to the day after Pittsburgh traded for Michael Pittman. That helped the overall offense, but once again, the running game needed to be fixed.
After losing Gainwell to free agency, the Steelers set their sights on Dowdle and signed him to a deal.
BREAKING: The #Steelers are signing former #Panthers standout RB Rico Dowdle, per multiple sources.
Dowdle has had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and now finds a new home. pic.twitter.com/B67JQy3R7a
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 9, 2026
Last season for the Carolina Panthers, Dowdle had the 12th-best RB Impact score, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, ranking 13th in receptions, 14th in receiving yards, and 14th in rushing yards.
He has run for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, according to PFSN’s RB Impact Metric.
Ranking-wise, Dowdle is a major upgrade over Gainwell, and the Steelers even got another back closer to their RB1: Warren. Although Dowdle may not have the pass-catching threat that Gainwell brings, he is a very good addition to this offense.
One of the main reasons the Steelers must fix the running game is that the team’s strength lies at quarterback. Right now, there is no confirmed starter in Pittsburgh, but there is a strong belief that Aaron Rodgers will return, especially after the hiring of McCarthy.
If Rodgers is the direction Pittsburgh goes in, he is a good quarterback, but the run game must be strong for the offense to have consistency. The Steelers need to take pressure off any quarterback who will play for the team, and Dowdle is a great way to do that.
