Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced extremely different offseason stretches under the leadership of General Manager Omar Khan. The team has been aggressive in recent years, which has been a nice change of pace for a franchise that has always typically been relatively boring when it comes to trades and external free-agent signings. The front office was hard at work early on Monday, with news breaking that Michael Pittman Jr. is headed for the Steel City after a move was made with the Indianapolis Colts. There's no reason to believe the brass will stop looking for ways to better the roster anytime soon.
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Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) points towards a referee to make sure he is lined up properly during a professional football contest at Lucas Oil Stadium.
This approach continued on Monday evening. After losing Kenneth Gainwell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Khan has inked another dynamic running back to a deal, solidifying Pittsburgh's backfield moving forward. Rico Dowdle will make his way to the Steel City, in a reported signing that certainly adds some firepower to the offense.
BREAKING: The #Steelers are signing former #Panthers standout RB Rico Dowdle, per multiple sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 9, 2026
Dowdle has had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and now finds a new home. pic.twitter.com/B67JQy3R7a
It hurt fans to see the team's MVP from 2025 go elsewhere; however, that will soon be forgotten as Dowdle had a very respectable campaign with the Carolina Panthers. He also has experience with Mike McCarthy from when the two were with the Dallas Cowboys. The back has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, which has gone relatively unnoticed in the grand scheme of things.
Getty Images / Josh Lavallee
Former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle poses for the camera after his team came up with a big win during a professional football contest.
Jaylen Warren now has a new running mate, but it surely does make an interesting situation for 2025 rookie Kaleb Johnson. He never quite found his footing during his first professional season, and now he may remain at the third spot on the depth chart. It's quite possible that he is not very pleased with the Steelers going out and signing an option that is clearly going to get some snaps.
Dowdle is extremely physical, and is a much different ball carrier than Gainwell. It's very evident that McCarthy is going to have a goal of running the ball down opposing defenses' throats.
The Steelers go a very different direction after losing Kenny G to free agency. At 6-foot and 215 pounds, Rico Dowdle is a big, physical and decisive runner. https://t.co/tMRu53wkjc
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) March 9, 2026
The Steelers' offense is starting to take shape. The additions of Pittman and Dowdle display that the team wants to be tough, big and overpowering. It is going to be a very hard challenge when game-planning against the unit.
Additionally, it appears as if Pittsburgh will stay away from taking a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Warren, Dowdle and Johnson under contract, it doesn't make much sense to invest in someone who would likely not make the team at the end of the day. This is an exciting move for Steelers fans, with the organization seriously putting its available cap space to good use.
One mystery remains, however, and that's the quarterback situation. No one is quite sure what is going on there just yet. The clock is ticking for Aaron Rodgers, and these Monday deals by Khan have to have the veteran excited about the prospect of playing another year with the Steelers.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7671-544x306.jpg "Steelers Omar Khan")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan meets with fans during the team's 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Are Not Messing Around With 2026 New League Year On Horizon
Pittsburgh is clearly set on not just making the roster better, but doing so in a way that builds for the short and long-term. The moves made by Khan to this point have suggested that the front office truly believes that the Steelers can win now, but they also have helped to build a solid nucleus moving forward. It won't be surprising if the front office in the Steel City continues to revamp the depth chart.
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