PITTSBURGH — New Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle spent five seasons under Mike McCarthy in Dallas from 2020-2024. It was McCarthy who gave the undrafted RB out of South Carolina his first chance in the NFL.
“It goes all the way back to when I came out of South Carolina. Coach McCarthy and the Cowboys, they was able to give me my first opportunity in the NFL. I’ve built that relationship with him, I was there with him in Dallas for what, five years? So yeah, just building that relationship with him, and it definitely played a major role in my decision to come here to Pittsburgh,” Dowdle said during his introductory press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Friday. “I know my running backs coach [Ramon Chinyoung]. I was with him in Dallas.”
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Dowdle prides himself on being a smashmouth running back. He thinks McCarthy’s run schemes are perfect for his style of running.
“We want to get it through the run game,” Dowdle said of McCarthy’s offense during his introductory press conference on Friday. “And want to establish everything at the line of scrimmage. Being physical, that’s the one thing he always harps on, being the most physical team out there.”
Dowdle also provided some insight on McCarthy relates to his players.
“Interactive with his players, walking around talking to ’em. If you need talk to him about anything’s that’s going on, you can go and talk to him about it. Playing time, family, anything. Small things like that go a long way,” Dowdle said. “He’s a player’s coach; he’s a great leader. You got your guy here, hometown guy. I know he’s definitely looking forward to it. It would mean more to him to hold that trophy up here in Pittsburgh. So, that’s the goal.”
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025. –Bob Donnan / Imagn ImagesCredit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Dowdle and Jaylen Warren should be a dynamic tandem in the backfield for the Steelers. Both are undrafted players, too.
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Dowdle said Warren reached out to him midseason last year to compliment him on his physicality and playing style. “He told me to keep putting in on for the undrafted guys. Now, we’re together.”
Dowdle and the Steelers will host the Panthers in 2026. Dowdle said the game is “definitely circled for sure.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Rico Dowdle Explains What It’s Like to Play for Mike McCarthy
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