Newly acquired Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He hopes to do the same in the Black and Gold this season.
“Not necessarily that it doesn’t mean something to me, but it’s behind me now,” Dowdle told Missi Matthews of Steelers.com bout his 1,000-yard seasons. “Now, it’s can I go do it again? I’ve gotta go do it again this year. Doesn’t really matter. I’ve got to where I’m at now, I’ve did it, I’m definitely proud that I’ve been able to accomplish that, being undrafted. But I’ve gotta continue to put my best foot forward and do it again. That’s the goal.”
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Dowdle really turned heads last year in Carolina.
Dowdle went off against the Cowboys last season, posting a career-high 239 total yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in the Panthers’ 30-27 win. Dowdle rushed for 183 yards on 30 carries (6.1 average). Through the air, he had four receptions for 56 yards (14.0 average) and a touchdown.
Dowdle also had a banner day against the Miami Dolphins last season. He rushed for 206 yards on 23 carries (9.0 average) and one touchdown, along with three receptions for 28 receiving yards. He had a total of 234 yards in the Panthers’ 27-24 win.
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) with the ball in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. — Bob Donnan / Imagn ImagesCredit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Dowdle has an old-school mentality when it comes to running the ball. He simply wants to impose his will on defenders.
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“Since I was little, I always took pride in that. When you were little, you saw people get truck sticked….and that’s always something I wanted to take pride in,” Dowdle explained during his introductory press conference.
Dowdle spent five seasons under Mike McCarthy in Dallas from 2020-2024. He thinks McCarthy’s run schemes are perfect for his style of running.
“He wants it physical. I take pride in my game being physical,” Dowdle said.
Dowdle revealed that Jaylen Warren reached out to him midseason last year to compliment him on his physicality and playing style.
Dowdle and Warren should be a dynamic tandem in the backfield for the Steelers. Both are undrafted players, too.
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“Jaylen reached out to me during the season last year. He liked my style of play, my game and stuff. You know, just keep putting on for the undrafted guys,” Dowdle said. “Now we together here, so we get to do it together.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers RB Rico Dowdle Reveals Goal for 2026
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