The Steelers made two big veteran additions to their offense this offseason in WR Michael Pittman Jr. and RB Rico Dowdle. Both will be significant factors in how they want to play this year, says HC Mike McCarthy. Having previously had Dowdle, that’s an easy enough projection. But he has a history, from a distance, with the big receiver, too.
“The first thing I would say for both guys is the physicality”, he told Pat Kirwan and Jacob Hester of Dowdle and Pittman on the Movin’ the Chains program on SiriusXM, broadcasting from the Steelers’ training camp during Saturday Night Lights. “Definitely, they fit our style of play, how we want to play, how we’re gonna play”.
He raved about Dowdle, noting that injuries he battled early in his career kept him buried on the depth chart. “Got his chance in Dallas and then did it again over there in Carolina. So, excited to have him”, he said. “Michael Pittman, he was one of my favorite guys coming out of the draft that year. You always remember your draft grades”, he said, a sentiment familiar to Steelers fans under Mike Tomlin. “I love the big flanker receivers, and his ability to do the dirty work will definitely serve us well”.
The Steelers’ signing of Rico Dowdle this offseason was about what they lost, Kenneth Gainwell leaving in free agency. As for trading for Michael Pittman, that came from the realization of what they were missing last season. Dowdle will provide a good one-two punch with Jaylen Warren, and Pittman will be the missing piece opposite DK Metcalf in the passing game.
“He’s been great to have around. What a great guy to have in the locker room”, Steelers GM Omar Khan said of Dowdle. “And [Pittman], it just made sense for us. We made some phone calls and just worked out with Indianapolis”, he added, calling it “the right value for us”.
While neither has exactly lit up training camp as yet, both Dowdle and Pittman are experienced veterans. Their resumes speak for themselves, and they will be ready for what the Steelers ask of them when the calendar rolls into September.
The Steelers only had one player record 500-plus receiving yards last year in DK Metcalf. They should get at least that from Pittman. On the other hand, the man Dowdle is replacing was the team’s MVP a year ago. Kenneth Gainwell had a career year, topping 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scoring 8 touchdowns.
The new Steelers coaching staff’s familiarity with Dowdle undoubtedly factored into how free agency played out at the running back position. Mike McCarthy obviously knows that he can work in his system, and Dowdle also showed his adaptability by running well for the Panthers last year. As for Michael Pittman, he’s the sort of player about whom you just know what you’re going to get. There’s a baseline minimum that he will deliver, but he also has the potential for more. That’s what the Steelers were missing last year, and now they have it.