Steelers named ideal landing spot for Panthers $13 million pending free agent originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

As the Pittsburgh Steelers navigate the 2026 offseason, the team has a decision to make at the running back position.

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While Jaylen Warren remains under contract, Kenneth Gainwell, who is coming off a career year and was the team’s MVP for 2025, is a pending free agent and isn’t guaranteed to return.

One potential option for the Steelers is Carolina Panthers pending free agent and running back Rico Dowdle.

Pro Football Focus’ Nathan Jahnke named the Steelers as the ideal landing spot for Dowdle in free agency. Here’s his thoughts on a potential Steelers-Dowdle pairing:

While Dowdle posted a few excellent games for the Carolina Panthers, his best PFF grades occurred while he was the Dallas Cowboys‘ lead running back in 2024. Mike McCarthy was the Cowboys‘ head coach in 2024, and now he’s the Steelers‘ head coach.

McCarthy is typically used to two-man backfields, and Dowdle could join forces with Jaylen Warren, where Dowdle plays more of an early-down role, while Warren plays more in passing situations. While Kenneth Gainwell made some big plays for the Steelers last season, he is a free agent and might be finding a new home this season.

Dowdle had a better-than-expected season with the Panthers and even managed to wrestle away the starting job from Chuba Hubbard after a five-game heater that saw Dowdle break 200 scrimmage yards twice and rush for over 100 yards three times in total.

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But Dowdle’s role saw a massive reduction late in the season and into the playoffs, which left him less than pleased.

“That definitely is a factor,” Dowdle said of how his reduced role will impact his future with the Panthers. “There’s options for me. I just want to be a guy who can go out there and just get the bulk [of the carries].”

Dowdle will likely be looking for a new home in 2026, and more specifically a new home that gives him a chance to be a lead back. However, it remains to be seen if he’ll get that opportunity given his decline in production late in the season.

If not, the Steelers are a logical landing spot.

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Dowdle enjoyed one of his best years as a pro in Mike McCarthy’s offense in Dallas and we would suspect the veteran head coach will have his eye on the South Carolina product to pair with Warren.

A pairing of Dowdle and Warren would be a good one, as both backs can make an impact in the passing game on top of their work on the ground,.

Spotrac projects Dowdle will get a two-year, $13 million contract in free agency, which is possible considering his two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

If Gainwell doesn’t return, it’s very conceivable the Steelers could sign Dowdle to replace him.

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