Rico Dowdle expected more from NFL free agency last week. But if he had to settle for a one-year deal somewhere, he’s happy that he can prove himself not so far from home.
Dowdle, who spent his teenage years in Asheville, has family spread across the Carolinas. The A.C. Reynolds High grad, who grew up in Gaffney, South Carolina, waited until negotiations with the Carolina Panthers were finalized before telling his excited mother and a group of long-time friends about his homecoming. The 26-year-old running back had been hoping for a long-term deal as he came off a career-high 1,079 rushing yards with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, but he ultimately decided a short-term, incentive-laden contract with the local team was the way to go.
“A little bit surprising, but you know, it’s the nature of the business,” Dowdle said Wednesday. “Obviously, the running back position hasn’t been valued (highly) in recent years. It’s kind of still trending (lower in value) — which I think is completely wrong. I think it’s one of the most valuable positions on offense. … We were thinking more multi-year deal going into free agency, but you know, it is what it is, and it took a turn.
“I truly believe everything will work out how it’s supposed to work out.”
Dowdle wants to ‘earn’ his fortune
Dowdle will play in Carolina on a fully guaranteed $2.75 million deal in 2025. He can more than double his salary with playing incentives.
As a former undrafted rookie, who touched the football just seven times during his first three NFL seasons, Dowdle has no problem proving himself and earning his potential fortune.
“I think it’s a good thing for the player and the organization, ” Dowdle said about incentive-based contracts. “It keeps you driven, it keeps you hungry, and things like that. But also it’s not like they are giving this guy a lump sum — you got to go earn what you’re getting paid. … I’m definitely looking forward to taking on that challenge. Just gotta earn your contract, pretty much.”
Dowdle wasn’t a regular option in the Cowboys’ backfield until 2023, when he finally became a rotational running back in his fourth season. He picked up 505 total yards and four total touchdowns in a breakout campaign while serving as a complement to Tony Pollard.
When Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans last offseason, the Cowboys brought back former All-Pro back Ezekiel Elliott to lead the position group. Dowdle, though, eventually succeeded Elliott and produced 1,328 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns.
“I take a lot of pride and gratitude in what I have been able to do,” Dowdle said. “Feel like there’s more out there, but … the first three years, not really playing much, you kind of get discouraged, like, ‘Damn, am I ever going to play?’ and stuff like that. Obviously, these last two years, I got to play. I got to play a little bit more the year before last, and then last year I kind of got to be the guy toward the middle of the season, so definitely just trusting the process and things like that, and everything’s worked out. So, definitely looking forward to bringing what I can do, and showing my value to Carolina.”
A clean slate in the backfield
While the 6-foot, 215-pound playmaker will receive a clean slate in Carolina, he will also be surrounded by quite a few familiar faces.
Dowdle, who played college football at South Carolina, will be reunited with Jaycee Horn, Xavier Legette and D.J. Wonnum in Charlotte. All four players were on the Gamecocks’ roster in 2019, which was Dowdle’s final college season.
Dowdle will also share the backfield with starting running back Chuba Hubbard. Dowdle has been impressed by his new stablemate as he has studied the Panthers’ offense.
“The guy’s a baller, a playmaker, and he has great instincts,” Dowdle said about Hubbard. “And that’s one of the things you look for in a running back — their instincts and how they can play and how decisive they can be.
“He’s one of those guys that can go out there and get the job done. So, definitely looking forward to sharing the backfield with him.”
Dowdle has shown he can be a lead back in the NFL. He obviously wants to earn a bigger contract in 2026, but he’s also willing to let things play out with Hubbard in his new surroundings.
“As long as I’m getting my opportunities to play and do well, I’m pretty sure everything will be fine,” Dowdle said. “Definitely think I can be that three-down back, but the situation is what the situation is.”
Chasing a winning season
Dowdle was one of the Panthers’ seven free-agent additions during the first week of negotiations. He was the only addition on offense. And as the Panthers look to improve on their 5-12 record from last year, Dowdle is only concerned with the team’s future.
Dowdle knows the Panthers have struggled throughout the first half of the decade, but he has seen a desire to win since inking his deal.
“Getting around the building, talking to all the coaches and everything, they seem like a pretty cool staff and they’re about winning and all the moves they’ve made (are) leaning toward that,” Dowdle said. “So, you know, maybe it’s time to turn it around and get a winning season over there.”
If Hubbard and Dowdle can stay healthy and productive in the backfield, the Panthers should have a tandem they can lean on for success. The running back duo can then take pressure off Bryce Young and the passing game, while also keeping the defense rested on the sideline.
Those outcomes could, in turn, lead to the desired (and long absent) winning season in Charlotte.
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye covers the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida.