The Pittsburgh Steelers of the last 19 seasons are no more. That, of course, is because long-time head coach Mike Tomlin elected it was time to hang up his clipboard after the 2025 season. The Steelers quickly went out and found their fourth head coach since 1969, deciding to hire 62-year-old Mike McCarthy. Steeler Nation now faces an entirely new era, and fans truly do not know what to expect in many areas, particularly during free agency.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy addresses the media in his introductory press conference.
With free agency rapidly approaching, all eyes are on Pittsburgh to see which direction the team takes. The decisions made in the coming weeks will be a major indicator of McCarthy’s vision for year one of his tenure. Every signing and trade will be scrutinized, and fans are eager to see whether the Steelers will take bold steps to reshape the roster or stick with a more cautious approach.
NFL reporter Greg Auman of Fox Sports recently predicted that McCarthy could try to reunite with his former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle in free agency. Dowdle could bring experience and production to Pittsburgh right away. If McCarthy does make this move, it would send a clear message to Steelers fans that Kenneth Gainwell is no longer in the fold.
"Dowdle, 27, has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Cowboys and Panthers — nearly identical years, within 3 yards and one carry of each other, with the exact same number of catches," Auman said on Tuesday while breaking down the free agent market. "He had a lukewarm market a year ago and signed for $2.75 million with Carolina, but doubled his pay by cashing out another $2.75 million in incentives. Carolina leaning on Chuba Hubbard down the stretch could have him signing elsewhere. Would Mike McCarthy like him for a Dallas reunion in Pittsburgh?"
This move could be considered controversial in the sense that the Steelers did invest significant draft capital in Kaleb Johnson. It is unlikely they will want to give up on him, but it is important to note that McCarthy did not draft Johnson. He may be less inclined to focus on Johnson’s development if he does not see immediate results.
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Former Steelers running backs coach, Eddie Faulkner (left) coaching up Kaleb Johnson during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Then there is the fact that Pittsburgh already has Jaylen Warren at running back, and Gainwell turned in an exceptional 2025 season, being voted Team MVP despite being one of the most affordable players on the roster. He quickly became their best offensive weapon. Now the question remains whether someone like Gainwell will be enticed to test the market while his value is high.
If that is the case, a running back could become a priority for Pittsburgh, as Johnson remains a relative unknown after a rookie season with limited opportunities and one early critical misstep.
Steelers Have An Interesting Situation Brewing At Running Back
Dowdle’s market value is $6.5 million according to Spotrac, which would put him near the same price Gainwell is expected to command. The difference is that the Carolina Panthers moved away from Dowdle down the stretch, and it is clear he wants a new opportunity. He may get that chance with his former head coach in Pittsburgh, depending on how the offseason shakes out.
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Panthers running back Rico Dowdle celebrates after a win in Carolina.
In the case of Gainwell, he has not made a significant amount of money relative to professional sports standards in his career. Now is the time for a running back in his prime to cash in, and loyalty often takes a back seat. It will be interesting to see how the Steelers’ front office approaches Gainwell, especially with a new coach in town who did not bring him to Pittsburgh in the first place, versus Gainwell’s desire to secure his payday.
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