After a breakout season with the Dallas Cowboys, running back Rico Dowdle is on the move.
Dowdle is signing a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million with the Carolina Panthers, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported. Carolina announced the deal, as well.
The addition of Dowdle, who churned out a career-best 1,079 rushing yards in 2024 with the Cowboys, makes for an intriguing backfield stable for the Panthers.
Dowdle will join Chuba Hubbard, who's likewise coming off a career-high 1,195-yard showing, and Jonathon Brooks, a 2024 second-round selection who's been hampered by injuries. Dowdle heads to Charlotte after the Panthers recently released running back Miles Sanders.
Dowdle's departure from Dallas leaves the Cowboys' RB room especially barren, with former Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams signing a one-year, $3 million deal and Deuce Vaughn remaining. Dallas' current status at the position will only add to the buzz of the team drafting a running back in April.
The 26-year-old Dowdle is a North Carolina native who played college ball at South Carolina.
An undrafted free agent who was with the Cowboys from 2020 through 2024, Dowdle showed plenty of potential in a 361-yard 2023 season, but finally got his shot to be the lead back down the stretch in 2024. He had four 100-yard games over the last six games with the Cowboys.
Just how much run he gets in head coach Dave Canales' offense remains to be seen, but Dowdle showed what he could do in 2024 and in 2025 he'll be the latest weapon added around quarterback Bryce Young for a rising Panthers offense.
