Rico Dowdle is rushing to the Steel City.
The current Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers 1,000-yard rusher is in talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year, $12.25 million contract, NFL Networks insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday night.
Dowdle leaves Charlotte after just one season, his second straight 1,000-yard season and looks to fill Kenneth Gainwell’s void for the Steelers. Dowdle will also be reunited with Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who was his HC in Dallas, including his 2024 campaign.
Gainwell is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving a spot for Dowdle to fill alongside Jaylen Warren. Ranked No. 82 on Gregg Rosenthal’s list of 101 free agents, Dowdle was the fourth-best RB option in the 2026 free agent class, according to Rosenthal.
A member of the Dallas Cowboys roster from 2020-2024, Dowdle was largely underutilized before spring action in 2024, when he rushed for 1,079 yards. He signed a one-year deal with the Panthers last season and finished with a career-high 1,076 yards on 236 carries while rushing for six touchdowns.
After faltering after taking the RB1 reins from Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle is now headed to Pittsburgh.