Running back Rico Dowdle, who is entering his seventh NFL season, spent the 2025 season with the Carolina Panthers after playing five seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Signing with the Steelers was an easy decision for Dowdle, who spent time with Coach Mike McCarthy when he was in Dallas.
“He’s a players’ coach,” said Dowdle. “He’s a great leader. He can lead his team. He is from Pittsburgh, so I know he loves that. You have your guy here. It would mean more to him to hold that trophy up here in Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh is a great football place. When you hear Pittsburgh, you think football.
“Even when I played for Coach McCarthy back in Dallas, when we were talking about Pittsburgh, when we came here and played he would tell us about the atmosphere, the fan base. Getting back with Coach McCarthy, that was a big factor.
“I am looking forward to getting out here in front of some of the best fans in the world. I know they love football here. That’s one thing for certain about Pittsburgh. I am excited and looking forward to getting out there and putting on the black and gold.”
Dowdle met with McCarthy when he arrived and got a quick feel for the Greenfield neighborhood where he is from.
“He showed me, he pointed right outside the window to where he grew up,” said Dowdle. “That is where his parents live. He used to call it a blue-collar place when we were in Dallas. This is a great place.”
And Dowdle wants to be a blue-collar worker for the offense.
Dowdle has appeared in 69 games, starting 26, with 567 carries for 2,540 yards, a 4.5-yard average, and 10 touchdowns. He also has 95 receptions for 690 yards, a 7.3-yard average, and six touchdowns.
The last two seasons he turned in 1,000-yard performances, with 1,076 rushing yards in 2025 and a career-high 1,079 yards in 2024.
In 2025, Dowdle started 11 of 17 games he appeared in for the Panthers, carrying the ball 236 times for 1,076 yards, a 4.6-yard average, while adding a career-high six touchdowns. He also had 39 receptions for 297 yards, a 7.6-yard average, and one receiving touchdown.
“I think I’m a versatile runner,” said Dowdle. “I can definitely make guys miss, but I can be physical when I need to be.
“I can definitely fit in with the offense here. I think I can fit in many different offenses with my type of running style. So, I like being versatile.”