As new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy continues to shape his coaching staff, the roster under his guidance will start coming into shape now that he\u2019s officially in charge of the historic franchise.<\/p>\n
There will be plenty of big decisions to make this offseason<\/a> regarding the roster, from key veterans worth re-signing, like guard Isaac Seumalo, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback James Pierre and more, to who to pursue in free agency.<\/p>\n The biggest decision might be what to do with free agent running back and reigning Team MVP Kenneth Gainwell.<\/a> Signed to a one-year deal last offseason, Gainwell was quite the investment for the Steelers, putting up more than 1,000 total yards of offense, leading the team in receptions and playing a vital role on special teams, too.<\/p>\n With former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith off to Ohio State<\/a> and McCarthy bringing in his own version of offense, Gainwell might have not only priced himself out of Pittsburgh in free agency, but might not have a spot in general under McCarthy, too.<\/p>\n That has the Steelers an ideal landing spot for another former running back under McCarthy in free agency: Rico Dowdle.<\/p>\n In a piece from Pro Football Focus, Dowdle, who played under McCarthy in Dallas from 2020-24, was highlighted as a good fit for the Steelers, with Pittsburgh as his ideal landing spot in free agency.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile Dowdle posted a few excellent games for the Carolina Panthers, his best PFF grades occurred while he was the\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u2018 lead running back in 2024. Mike McCarthy was the\u00a0Cowboys\u2018 head coach in 2024, and now he\u2019s the\u00a0Steelers\u2018 head coach,\u201d PFF\u2019s Nathan Jankhe writes of Dowdle for the Steelers.<\/a> \u201cMcCarthy is typically used to two-man backfields, and Dowdle could join forces with\u00a0Jaylen Warren, where Dowdle plays more of an early-down role, while Warren plays more in passing situations.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Dowdle, a former undrafted free agent out of South Carolina in the 2020 NFL Draft, played a very limited role for the Cowboys in his first three seasons. As a rookie and in Year 2, Dowdle played primarily on special teams, handling kick return duties.<\/p>\n Then, in Year 3 in 2023, Dowdle started to carve out a role in the backfield for the Cowboys under McCarthy. That season, Dowdle carried the ball 89 times for 361 yards and two touchdowns, showing flashes of promise in McCarthy\u2019s scheme. That set up the path to a breakout season in 2024.<\/p>\n In his final season in Dallas, Dowdle rushed for 1,024 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 39 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the breakout season in Dallas, Dowdle wasn\u2019t retained by the Cowboys after McCarthy wasn\u2019t renewed, allowing him to hit free agency.<\/p>\n #Cowboys<\/a> Rico Dowdle was feeling it yesterday. <\/p>\n The first run with the jump cut was probably one of the best runs I\u2019ve seen from him all season.<\/p>\n The second one shows his contact balance, which has been on display all season.<\/p>\n (\ud83c\udfa5: @ NFL Pro) pic.twitter.com\/uRjFiG2wvs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) December 16, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n There wasn\u2019t much interest out there in Dowdle, leading to a one-year pact with the Carolina Panthers as a backup to Chuba Hubbard. But, as the season progressed, Dowdle outplayed Hubbard, taking over the starting role. Once in a larger role, Dowdle broke out in a major way.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old running back eclipsed the 200-yard mark against the Miami Dolphins, rushing for 206 yards. That came one week after he rushed for 183 yards against the Cowboys. In his one season in Carolina, Dowdle rushed for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns and added another 39 receptions for 297 yards and a touchdown.<\/p>\n This is cool: #Panthers<\/a> RB Rico Dowdle told RB coach Bernie Parmalee, OC Brad Idzik, and HC Dave Canales late in the 4th quarter that they should call a screen.<\/p>\n “It’s there. I promise you.”<\/p>\n They agreed \u2014 and that screen went for 28 yards and set up the go-ahead score a few\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/dm9rHjaKp6<\/a><\/p>\n