Dowdle signs 2-year deal to join Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are inking ex-Panthers standout RB Rico Dowdle to a 2-year, over 12 million dollar contract.

Rico led Carolina with 1,076 yards rushing in the past year, giving him straight thousand-yard campaigns between the Panthers and the Cowboys.

Dowdle started the past season as a reserve to Chuba Hubbard, but when Chuba was sidelined in Week 5 and 6 with a calf problem, Rico exploded for a franchise-record 473 scrimmage yards over a 2-match period, surpassing Christian McCaffrey.

Manager Dave Canales praised Rico for his “violent” running style and elevated him to the starting role after a 2-week attempt to split the time between him and Hubbard. He was crucial in a midcampaign victory against the Packers away from home, rushing for 130 yards and 2 TDs.

However, his form dropped significantly over the final 3 matches, when Dowdle had only 28 carries for 88 yards. Rico shared that he was unhappy about that after the end of the campaign and planned to become a free agent.

The Steelers’ addition of Rico was very important after RB Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh’s MVP in the past campaign, joined the Bucs.

More on this topic:

Steelers’ new head coach McCarthy would like Rodgers to return

• Re-signed CB Asante Samuel Jr. (1 year, $4 million; 26 years old).

• Signed CB Jamel Dean (3 years, $36.5 million; 29 years old).

• Traded for and signed WR Michael Pittman Jr. (3 years, $59 million; 28 years old).

• Re-signed LB Cole Holcomb (2 years, $5 million).… pic.twitter.com/tOCqgHIqTb

— Jared Kane (@BaddestBearJew) March 9, 2026