Steelers' Rico Dowdle Calls Out Panthers Coaches After Revealing Reason For Late-Season Struggles

The Pittsburgh Steelers watched as their 2025 team MVP, Kenneth Gainwell, walked in free agency to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In response, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy acted quickly, securing a deal to bring Rico Dowdle to the Steel City on a two-year, $12.25 million contract. Gainwell, meanwhile, signed with the Buccaneers for a two-year, $14 million deal. Clearly, Pittsburgh saw Dowdle as a near-perfect replacement, saving roughly $1.75 million while bringing in a player with a similar style and skill set.

Dowdle is not new to McCarthy's system. In 2024, he broke out in a big way, rushing for over 1,000 yards and helping McCarthy's offense get its run game firing on all cylinders. Now he gets to reunite with the coach who helped him thrive, but this time in Pittsburgh. The 2025 season started with Dowdle in Carolina, but his role diminished down the stretch, leading to frustration. 

It was widely known that he was not thrilled with the way things unfolded, and on Friday, he appeared to confirm those feelings. In a statement on social media, Dowdle took a direct shot at the Panthers coaching staff and offensive scheme, making it clear that he felt underutilized and that the system did not play to his strengths.

Dowdle also spoke with the Pittsburgh media and made it clear he's eager to face off against Carolina. 

"Yeah, it is definitely circled for sure," Dowdle said. "It's definitely circled for sure."

For the Steelers, Dowdle represents both continuity and opportunity. He brings proven production, familiarity with McCarthy's approach, and a chance to immediately stabilize a backfield in flux after Gainwell's departure. For Dowdle, it is a chance at redemption and a fresh start in a city that desperately needs a reliable, dynamic presence in the run game. If he can recapture the form that made him a breakout star in 2024, both he and Pittsburgh could end up looking like they got the better end of the offseason swap.

Dowdle rushed 236 times for 1,076 yards and ran in six touchdowns for the Panthers in the 2025 season. Where the Steelers will really miss Gainwell is in his role as a pass catcher out of the backfield, which was a major reason he earned team MVP honors. Dowdle has shown he can contribute as a receiver as well, giving him the potential to thrive in that role in Pittsburgh. 

Last season, he had 39 receptions for 297 receiving yards and one touchdown. He was incredibly productive, but frustration grew as the Panthers seemingly did not rely on him down the stretch, despite his consistent performance and belief that he deserved more opportunities.

Steelers Are Poised For An Exciting 2026 Season In The Run Game

Now in Pittsburgh, Dowdle will team up with running back Jaylen Warren to form a strong one-two punch in the Steelers backfield. Adding depth, the team also has second-year running back Kaleb Johnson, who will look to earn more opportunities in the 2026 season. The combination of Dowdle’s proven production and versatility with Warren and Johnson gives the Steelers a dynamic and flexible rushing attack, capable of keeping defenses off balance and creating opportunities in both the run and passing games.

Dowdle’s reunion with McCarthy provides him the chance to regain his 2024 form and establish himself as a centerpiece of the Steelers offense. If he can return to his breakout form while adapting to Pittsburgh’s system, the team could quickly offset the loss of Gainwell and create one of the more dangerous backfields in the league. With Dowdle motivated and supported by a talented group of running backs, the Steelers are poised for an exciting 2026 season in the run game.

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