Steelers Sign RB Dowdle, Circles Panthers Game

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rico Dowdle, fresh off a career-best season with the Carolina Panthers, signed a two-year contract worth $12.25 million with the team earlier this week and quickly turned his attention to a potential revenge matchup against his former club. During an introductory press conference on Friday, the 27-year-old veteran said the upcoming 2026 game between the Steelers and Panthers is "definitely circled, for sure," signaling his intent to make an impact when the teams meet at Acrisure Stadium.

Dowdle's move to Pittsburgh reunites him with head coach Mike McCarthy, under whom he spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024. "When I came out of South Carolina, Coach McCarthy and the Cowboys gave me my first opportunity in the NFL," Dowdle said. "I built that relationship with him... it definitely played a major role in my decision to come here to Pittsburgh." McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, praised Dowdle's familiarity with his offensive scheme during the coach's tenure in Dallas, where Dowdle rushed for 1,464 yards and four touchdowns over 52 games.

The Steelers, seeking to bolster their backfield after running back Kenneth Gainwell...