The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed active during the opening week of NFL free agency. Pittsburgh has already made several notable moves, including trading for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signing defensive backs Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker. The team also addressed the running back position by bringing in Rico Dowdle from the Carolina Panthers. Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and will reunite with Mike McCarthy, who previously coached him during their time together with the Dallas Cowboys.
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Steelers' Rico Dowdle during his introductory press conference after officially signing his contract.
While the signing initially looked like a solid addition for Pittsburgh, not everyone around the league is convinced. The Steelers moved quickly to add Dowdle after losing their 2025 Team MVP when Kenneth Gainwell signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gainwell had been a key part of Pittsburgh’s offense and was heavily involved both as a runner and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Once it became clear that he would be leaving, the Steelers wasted little time finding a replacement. However, not everyone believes Dowdle will be able to fill that role the way Pittsburgh hopes.
When discussing NFL free agency on his Fox Sports Radio show on Friday, host Ben Maller didn’t sound very impressed with the Steelers’ new running back.
“There were moments last year in Carolina where Rico Dowdle looked like a top 5 running back in the NFL. He was electric. He was Sonic the Hedgehog. It was amazing. He was awesome. And Carolina had the chance to keep him, and they punted," Maller said. "So now he’s going to his third team in the last three years. That is not a franchise pillar, that is an Airbnb. Short term rental is what this guy is.”
Maller’s criticism mostly revolves around Dowdle’s career path so far. Despite putting up solid numbers recently, he has already played for multiple teams in a short amount of time. In the NFL, that sometimes raises questions about long-term value. If a player truly looks like a foundational piece of a roster, teams usually do what they can to keep him around. Dowdle’s situation has been a little different, which is why some analysts remain skeptical.
Still, from Pittsburgh’s perspective, the move makes sense. Dowdle has proven he can produce when given opportunities, and the Steelers didn’t have to commit a massive contract to bring him in. His two-year deal worth $12.25 million is relatively reasonable for a running back who has recently rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
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Steelers' Rico Dowdle running with the football when he played for the Panthers in 2025.
The familiarity with McCarthy could also play a role in helping Dowdle adjust quickly. When a player joins a new team, having a coach who already understands their skill set can make the transition a little easier. McCarthy already knows how to use Dowdle and what he does best, which could help Pittsburgh get him involved in the offense right away.
Another factor is the Steelers’ overall offensive approach. Pittsburgh has traditionally relied on a strong running game to help balance the offense. Adding a productive running back like Dowdle gives the team someone who can handle a large share of carries while also helping take pressure off the passing game.
At the end of the day, the success of this signing will come down to production. If Dowdle continues the momentum he built in Carolina and delivers another strong season on the ground, the deal could end up looking like a great value for Pittsburgh. But if his performance drops off, critics like Maller will likely point back to the concerns they already raised.
For now, though, the Steelers appear confident that Dowdle can help keep their running game moving forward. Whether he proves to be a long-term piece of the offense or just a short-term stop will be something that unfolds once the season begins.
Jacob Kupferman / AP Photo
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle celebrates after scoring in an NFL game in 2025.
Steelers May View Dowdle As The Team's Starting Running Back
Although Jaylen Warren currently sits at the top of the Steelers’ depth chart, Dowdle could have a real chance to overtake him as the team’s number one running back.
Dowdle has shown that he can handle a heavy workload and produce consistently. If he carries that momentum into Pittsburgh, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn more touches as the season goes on. The Steelers have never been afraid to ride the hot hand in the backfield, especially if one player starts separating himself from the rest.
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