It’s no surprise to see running back Rico Dowdle reunite with Mike McCarthy. And until and unless Aaron Rodgers returns, Dowdle might know his offense better than anybody else on roster. Speaking to reporters Friday after signing a two-year deal, Dowdle offered insight into what a McCarthy offense looks like.
“We want to get it going through the run game,” Dowdle said during his introductory press conference via the team’s YouTube channel. “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.”
McCarthy has a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, but his roots are attached to the running game. All under the mantra of doing whatever it takes to make the quarterback successful. A strong ground game takes plenty of pressure off a passer. No matter if it’s Will Howard, Rodgers, or someone else under center in 2026, Dowdle’s job is to keep the offense on schedule and the quarterback clean.
“Getting north and south. Don’t be back there dancing around. He came up through the quarterback stuff . He wants you to protect that quarterback,” Dowdle said. “Be able to protect and like I said, be able to be north and south and decisive and running physical.”
Dowdle’s rushed for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. His odds of making it three-straight years will be tested given his timeshare with Jaylen Warren. But Dowdle has a track record of putting up gaudy numbers that pile onto his season total. Over the past two seasons, he has five performances of 130 or more rushing yards. Only Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley have more.
Though not known for his pass protection, Dowdle’s shown quality reps on tape. He also has exactly 39 receptions each of his last two years, giving him versatility that won’t completely match the outgoing Kenneth Gainwell but will give Pittsburgh offensive flexibility. And the best chance for McCarthy to continue his track record of offensive success and lead a Steelers offense that hasn’t finished even top half in scoring since 2020.
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