The Pittsburgh Steelers have not been at the forefront of the NFL offseason headlines lately compared to how frequently they appeared earlier in the offseason. The team wasted little time making some splashes in free agency and working aggressively to add skill players, especially at wide receiver by trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and moving up in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Germie Bernard. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his staff now look ahead to training camp in late July.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the field and looks off into the distance as he watches players take part in rookie minicamp during a workout in Pittsburgh, PA.
A notable loss from last year's team is running back and 2025 team MVP Kenneth Gainwell. However, in keeping up with their trend of being aggressive, the organization dipped into free agency and signed running back Rico Dowdle. Dowdle will join Jaylen Warren to form a very talented and powerful tandem at the position for the Black and Gold in 2026.
On Monday, Chris Adamski of TribLive wrote about the situation facing Dowdle as he comes to Pittsburgh with Warren. Warren was signed to a two-year extension by the franchise last September. However, Adamski mentions that Dowdle is no stranger to the situation he is walking into ahead of the 2026 season.
"He entered each season buried on the depth chart, but carved out a more significant role," Adamski wrote. "In 2024, veteran Ezekiel Elliott started the opener for the Cowboys, but was outperformed by Dowdle, and Dowdle was the featured back the rest of the season. Will Dowdle play on early downs and Warren serve as a third-down back? Will they split time on a more drive-by-drive basis? Will it be matchup-specific? The situation is a storyline that will be tracked closely over the lead-up to the regular season."
Dowdle also had familiarity with this situation last year when he signed with the Carolina Panthers and entered camp behind Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart. However, an injury to Hubbard paved the way for Dowdle to get a chance, as he rushed for 389 yards and two touchdowns during a two-game absence for Hubbard.
Bob Donnan / Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle during his time with the Carolina Panthers in 2025.
He then started each of Carolina's final 10 games of the 2025 season, on his way to securing back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
Steelers Have Healthy Competition Brewing At Running Back
The addition of the former Panthers and Cowboys standout paves the way for a healthy, competitive battle at the running back position. As Adamski pointed out, this carry split between him and Warren could be on a drive-by-drive basis or even on a matchup basis. We will know more in a little over two months as the preseason starts to wrap up and the team prepares to kick off for McCarthy's inaugural season in the Steel City.
For the franchise, this can only create more solutions than it does problems. If Warren underperforms in specific matchups or during specific drives, Dowdle can take over, and vice versa. His signing also adds great depth, as Pittsburgh still has Kaleb Johnson getting ready to enter just his second season with the team after seeing playing time reduced greatly after a special teams blunder in 2025. Despite that mistake, Johnson could be available as the third back, even if it is just for short-yardage purposes.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle working out with the team during the 2026 offseason.
Dowdle also worked with McCarthy during his time with the Cowboys, so the Pittsburgh head coach has seen what he can bring on the field during games. The financial commitment to Warren most likely indicates that the two will split carries regardless. However, this offseason acquisition is just another one that adds value to the front office’s offseason work.
What are your thoughts on Adamski's comments? Are you looking forward to seeing the new dynamic between Warren and Dowdle? Be sure to follow us for more news!
#SteelerNation