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\u2019s an easy enough projection. But he has a history, from a distance, with the big receiver, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing I would say for both guys is the physicality\u201d, he told Pat Kirwan and Jacob Hester of Dowdle and Pittman on the Movin\u2019 the Chains program on SiriusXM<\/a>, broadcasting from the Steelers\u2019 training camp during Saturday Night Lights. \u201cDefinitely, they fit our style of play, how we want to play, how we\u2019re gonna play\u201d.<\/p>\n He raved about Dowdle, noting that injuries he battled early in his career kept him buried on the depth chart. \u201cGot his chance in Dallas and then did it again over there in Carolina. So, excited to have him\u201d, he said. \u201cMichael Pittman, he was one of my favorite guys coming out of the draft that year. You always remember your draft grades\u201d, he said, a sentiment familiar to Steelers fans under Mike Tomlin. \u201cI love the big flanker receivers, and his ability to do the dirty work will definitely serve us well\u201d.<\/p>\n The Steelers\u2019 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<\/a> with Jaylen Warren, and Pittman will be the missing piece opposite DK Metcalf in the passing game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been great to have around. What a great guy to have in the locker room\u201d, Steelers GM Omar Khan said of Dowdle. \u201cAnd [Pittman], it just made sense for us. We made some phone calls and just worked out with Indianapolis\u201d, he added, calling it \u201cthe right value for us\u201d.<\/p>\n