Is Rico Dowdle an upgrade over Kenneth Gainwell?
Kenneth Gainwell was the Steelers’ MVP last season, but is Rico Dowdle better for what offense they want to have? Gainwell thrived in the system they ran last year, which departed with the previous coaching staff. We don’t know how badly they wanted to keep him, having left in free agency on a two-year, $14 million contract.
After Gainwell signed elsewhere, the Steelers turned around and signed Rico Dowdle to a similar, but slightly cheaper, contract. Dowdle is a player with whom new HC Mike McCarthy already had familiarity, as does his new running backs coach. In terms of knowledge of the offense, Dowdle would actually be ahead already.
Both Kenneth Gainwell and Rico Dowdle played well last year, totaling over 1,000 yards with 7-plus touchdowns. Dowdle had more touches, and has 549 over the past two seasons, though. Gainwell barely has that in his five-year career.
In terms of experience, Dowdle has the advantage over Gainwell, and perhaps the Steelers wanted that. He is also not a one-year wonder, which would not be an unfair description of Gainwell. There is a reason the Steelers signed him for under $2 million a year ago, after all. Is he really so different than he was a year ago, or is a regression to the mean inevitable?
Dowdle and Gainwell are, of course, different kinds of running backs. While Dowdle can and does catch the ball, Gainwell was a virtual wide receiver at times last season. He caught 73 passes for 486 yards and 3 touchdowns, all career highs by far.
I am not asking whether Kenneth Gainwell or Rico Dowdle will have the better season in 2026. What I would like to consider is whether the Steelers will be better this year having Dowdle in place of Gainwell. Jaylen Warren is a component of this question, including the nature of his shifting role based on his teammate’s strengths.
With Dowdle, we can wager that Warren will play more snaps in the passing game than he saw with Gainwell. That was a role in which he had success previously, but it’s also likely one that won’t be as important under McCarthy. What they have is a pair of true north-and-south running backs, but how will they complement one another?
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
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